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PRINCETON,    N.     J. 


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p*a^ 

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A  NAEEATIVE 


The  Great  Kevival 


WHICH  PREVAILED 


IN  THE   SOUTHERN  ARMIES 


DURING  THE  LATE  CIVIL  WAR  BETWEEN  THE  STATES  OF 
THE  FEDERAL  UNION. 


WILLIAM  W.  BENNETT,  D.D., 

SUPERINTENDENT  OF  "THE  SOLDIERS'  TRACT   ASSOCIATION,"   AND   CHAPLAIN   IN 
THE  CONFEDERATE  ARMY. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
CLAXTON,  REMSEN  &  HAFFELFINGER, 

No3.  624,  626  &  628  Market  Street. 

1877. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1876,  by 

WILLIAM  W.  BENNETT, 

in  the  OflBce  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


■■^"■iBaHaai 


PKEFACE. 


rPHE  author  of  this  book  has  but  few  words  to  write  in  presenting 
it  to  the  public.^ 

Twelve  years  have  passed  away  since  the  close  of  our  civil  war. 
Tlie  passions  of  men  have  had  time  to  cool,  and  their  prejudices 
time  to  abate.  We  may,  therefore,  view  the  contest  as  we  could 
not  when  we  stood  nearer  to  it. 

Reared  under  almost  directly  opposite  interpretations  of  tlie 
Federal  Constitution,  tlie  people  of  the  North  and  of  the  South 
fought  with  equal  earnestness  for  principles  regarded  by  each  as 
essential  to  the  well-being  of  the  American  people  and  to  the  per- 
petuity of  a  republican  form  of  government. 

What  is  to  be  the  ultimate  results  of  the  contest  cannot  yet  be 
clearly  determined.  But  may  we  not  hope  that  a  country  which 
endured  four  years  of  civil  war  unequalled  in  the  history  of  the 
world,  and  has  since  endured  twelve  years  of  sectional  strife,  and 
still  lives  in  freshness  and  vigor,  is  destined  by  a  favoring  Provi- 
dence to  bear  the  blessings  of  Christian  civilization  onward  to  the 
remotest  ages,  and  to  stand  as  a  beacon  to  other  peoples  as  they 
pass  through  those  stormy  periods  which  are  bound  up  in  the 
bundle  of  every  nation's  life.  If  such  shall  be  the  lessons  of  our 
civil  war,  it  will  not  be  without  its  value  to  the  world. 

Essentially  a  religious  people,  it  was  to  be  expected  that  the 
faith  in  which  they  had  been  trained  should  assert  itself  even  amid 
the  strife  of  arms.  And  it  was  so.  To  what  extent  the  religious 
element  prevailed  among  the  soldiers  of  the  North,  they  can  best 
tell  us  who  labored  among  them  in  word  and  doctrine.     To  what 

iii 


IV  PREFACE. 

extent  it  prevailed  among  the  soldiers  of  the  South,  the  following 
pages  tell  in  part,  for  so  abundant  are  the  records  of  the  revival, 
that  our  book  might  have  been  twofold  larger  had  all  the  material 
been  used. 

Of  one  thing  the  reader  may  be  certain  —  this  work  is  authentic. 
The  facts  of  the  army  revival  are  stated  by  those  who  witnessed 
them.  As  Superintendent  of  one  of  the  Tract  Associations  during 
several  years  of  the  war,  and  near  its  close  as  an  army  cliaplain, 
the  author,  by  correspondence  and  by  personal  labors  and  observa- 
tion, has  had  ample  opportunity  to  collect  materials  for  his  work. 
Besides,  he  has  been  favored  with  private  letters  from  many  of  the 
most  faithful  and  laborious  chaplains  and  army  missionaries,  and 
from  officers  and  private  soldiers,  giving  their  recollections  of  the 
revival  in  every  part  of  the  wide  field  of  strife. 

There  has  been  no  attempt  to  write  a  book  on  the  war,  but  still, 
in  following  the  armies  and  tracing  the  revival,  the  successive 
campaigns  have  been  outlined  so  that  the  reader  might  see  the 
conditions  under  which  the  work  of  grace  progressed. 

To  thousands  in  the  South  this  book  will  recall  scenes  dark  and 
sad  in  many  features,  but  over  them  is  shed  the  light  of  hope,  and 
from  them  the  prayers  and  songs  of  war  days  and  nights  come 
floating  down  to  mingle  with  the  joys  of  the  present;  and  if  not 
to  mingle  with  present  joys,  to  give  assurance  that  He  who  spread 
a  shield  over  their  heads  in  the  day  of  battle,  is  still  nigh  at  hand 
to  guide,  to  cheer,  and  to  delfver  all  who  put  their  trust  in  Him. 

To  thousands  in  the  North  this  book  will  be  an  enigma.  That 
God  should  appear  in  the  midst  of  men,  to  bless  and  save  them, 
who,  as  they  believe,  rushed  to  arras  without  just  cause,  may  be 
almost  beyond  belief.  To  all  such  persons  we  can  only  say,  read 
the  narrative,  weigh  the  facts,  and  then  make  up  your  verdict. 

KiCHMOND,  Va.,  May,  1877. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I.  PAGB 

Keligion  Among  Soldiers, 7 

CHAPTER  II. 
Subjects  of  the  Revival, 17 

CHAPTER  III. 
Hindrances  to  the  Revival, 31 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Helps  to  the  Revival, 46 

CHAPTER  V. 
Helps  to  the  Revival — Colportage,     ....      71 

CHAPTER  VI. 
First  Fruits  —  Summer  and  Autumn  of  1861,.        .  86 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Winter  of  1861-62,     .        . 120 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Spring  of  1862, 137 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Summer  of  1862, 156 

CHAPTER  X. 
Summer  of  1862, 172 

CHAPTER   XI. 
Summer  of  1862, 184 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Autumn  of  1862, 194 

1*  V  . 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XIII.  PAOK 

Autumn  of  1862, 204 

CHAPTER  XIV, 
Autumn  of  1862, 222 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Winter  of  1862-63, 231 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Spring  of  1863, 251 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Spring  of  1863, 265' 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Spring  oe  1863, 285 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Summer  of  1863, 308 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Autumn  of  1863, 321 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Winter  of  1803-64, 343 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
Spring  of  1804, 363 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
Summer  of  1804 380 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
Autumn  and  Winter  of  1864-65,         ....         401 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
Last  Days  —  Spring  of  1865, 415 


THE 


CHAPTER  I. 

KELIGION   AMONG    SOLDIERS. 

Tuii  late  American  war  has  no  parallel  in  history. 

When  we  consider  the  area  of  the  contest,  its  gigantic 
proportions,  the  number  of  men  under  arms,  the  maga- 
zines of  warlike  stores,  the  sieges,  the  marches,  the  bat- 
tles, the  enthusiasm  of  the  people,  the  discipline  and 
valor  of  the  soldiers,  the  wretchedness  and  desolation 
which  followed  the  contending  hosts, — we  may  in  vain 
search  the  annals  of  the  world  for  the  record  of  a  strug- 
gle approaching  it  in  all  the  dreadful  elements  of  war. 

The  American  may  now  add  to  his  boasts,  that  his 
country  claims  pre-eminence  in  the  greatest  of  all  na- 
tional calamities — a  civil  war. 

We  have  read,  but  now  we  know  by  experience,  that 
war,  more  than  all  things  else,  reveals  the  angel  and  the 
demon  in  man. 

Our  composite  race  evinced  on  both  sides  in  the  strug- 
gle the  special  traits  of  its  near  and  remote  ancestors. 
The  good  and  bad  were  strangely  mingled.  So  it  has 
ever  been  in  wars,  especially  in  wars  between  people  of 
the  same  race.  Ours  gave  a  powerful  emphasis  to  this 
sad  truth. 

Sincere  piety,  brazen  wickedness  ;  pure  public  virtue, 
sordid  baseness ;  lofty  patriotism,  despicable  time-serv- 
ing ;  consecration  to  a  sacred  cause  and  shameless  aban- 
donment of  principle,  appeared  in  every  section  of  the 
country' 


8  TllK    GREAT    IJEVIVAL. 

To  the  people  of  the  Old  World  the  war  must  have 
been  a  subject  of  interest  and  wonder. 

The  rapid  transformation  of  peaceful  citizens  into  ex- 
cellent soldiers  must  have  created  among  them  surprise, 
if  not  alarm ;  the  ingenuity  and  skill  displaj'ed  in  the 
preparation  of  war  material  revealed  a  progress  in  this 
direction  which  they  hardly  dreamed  that  we  had  made  ; 
the  stead}'  valor  of  many  battlefields  assured  them  that 
the  American  veteran  of  twenty  months  was  not  inferior 
to  the  European  veteran  of  twent}^  years. 

The  atrocities  of  the  war  must  have  shaken  their  faith 
in  the  sincerity  of  a  people  who  subscribed  the  code  of 
nations,  and  professed  to  regard  the  Bible  as  a  revela- 
tion from  Heaven.  On  the  other  hand,  the  patient  en- 
durance of  hardships,  toil,  and  all  manner  of  privation 
by  a  people  whom  they  had  been  educated  to  look  upon 
as  voluptuous,  tyrannical,  and  effeminate,  by  reason  of 
their  peculiar  institutions,  must  have  filled  them  with 
astonishment,  if  not  with  admiration.  The  leading  public 
journal  of  the  world  thus  described  the  impression  made  on 
the  European  mind  bythe  attitude  of  the  Southern  people  : 
>'The  people  of  the  Confederate  States  have  made 
themselves  famous.  If  the  ren'bwn  of  brilliant  courage, 
stern  devotion  to  a  cause,  and  military  achievements 
almost  without  a  parallel,  can  compensate  men  for  the 
toil  and  privations  of  the  hour,  then  the  countrymen  of 
Lee  and  Jackson  may  be  consoled  amid  their  sufferings. 
From  all  parts  of  Europe,  from  their  enemies  as  well  as 
from  their  i'riends,  from  those  who  condemn  their  acts 
as  well  as  tliose  wlio  sympathize  with  them,  comes  the 
tribute  of  admiration. 

"When  the  histor}'  of  this  war  is  written  the  admiration 
will  doubtless  become  deeper  and  stronger,  for  the  veil 
which  has  covered  the  South  will  be  drawn  awa3%  and 
disclose  a  picture  of  patriotism,  of  unanimous  self-sac- 
rilice,  of  wise  and  firm  administration,  which  we  can  now 
only  see  indistinctly. 


RELIGION   AMONG   SOLDIERS.  9 

"The  details  of  that  extraordinary  national  effort,  which 
has  led  to  the  repulsion  and  almost  to  the  destruction  of 
an  invading  force  of  more  than  half  a  million  of  men 
will  then  become  known  to  the  world ;  and  whatever 
may  be  the  fate  of  the  new  nationality,  or  its  subsequent 
claims  to  the  respect  of  mankind,  it  will  assuredly  begin 
its  career  with  a  reputation  for  genius  and  valor  which 
the  most  famous  nations  might  envy." 

Such  were  the  compliments  which  the  South  wrung 
from  reluctant  and  opposing  nationalities  by  the  genius 
and  abilitj'^  she  displa^'cd  in  her  struggle  for  independ- 
ence. 

But  there  is  one  aspect  of  the  war,  on  the  Southern 
side,  which  has  been  almost  wholly  overlooked  by  states- 
men and  politicians.  We  mean  its  religious  aspect. 
"Whatever  may  be  the  judgment  of  the  world  as  to  the 
principles  on  which  the  Southern  people  entered  into  tlie 
strife,  it  must  be  admitted  that  they  brought  with  them 
into  it,  and  carried  with  them  through  it,  a  deep  and 
strong  religious  element.  Their  convictions  of  right  in 
what  they  did  were  second  only  to  their  convictions  of 
the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion.  Nor  has  the  stern 
logic  of  events  eradicated  this  conviction  from  the 
Southern  mind.  The  cause  is  lost,  but  its  principles 
still  live,  and  must  continue  to  live  so  long  as  there  re- 
mains in  human  nature  any  perception  and  appreciation 
of  justice,  truth,  and  virtue. 

The  great  moral  phenomenon  of  the  war  was  the  in- 
fluence and  power  of  religion  among  the  Southern  sol- 
diers. War  is  a  dreadful  trade,  and  the  camp  has  always 
been  regarded  as  the  best  appointed  school  of  vice ;  the 
more  wonderful  then  is  it  to  see  the  richest  fruits  of 
grace  growing  and  flourishing  in  such  a  soil. 

Christianity  visits  and  reforms  every  grade  of  human 
society ;  and  some  of  its  greatest  miracles  of  grace  are 
wrought  upon  the  most  wicked  subjects,  and  in  the  worst 
localities.     "  The  Gospel  is  the  power  of  God  unto  sal- 


10  THE  gri:at  hkvival. 

vation  to  every  one  that  believeth  ;"  and  this  blessed 
truth  has  been  as  full}'  tested  amid  the  horrors  of  war 
as  in  the  sweet  da>'s  of  peace.  We  do  not  usually  con- 
sider how  important  a  part  militar}-  characters  have 
l)orne  in  the  historj^  of  our  religion.  True,  it  is  not  to 
be  propagated  b}'  means  of  the  sword ;  and  3'et  many 
who  have  borne  the  sword  have  been  its  bright  orna- 
ments, and  sometimes  its  most  successful  preachers.        1 

The  soldiers  mentioned  in  the  New  Testament  have 
great  interest  connected  with  their  brief  historj-,  and 
some  of  tliein  are  models  of  faith  and  piet}'. 

Among  the  anxious  multitudes  that  flocked  to  the 
preaching  of  John  the  Baptist,  there  were  soldiers  who 
put  in  tlieir  question  as  well  as  others,  "  sa^ying,  and 
what  shall  we  do?"  To  whom  the  Baptist  replied,  "Do 
violence  to  no  man,  neither  accuse  any  falsely ;  and  be 
content  with  your  wages."  Thus  from  the  beginning 
did  the  "  men  of  war"  receive  the  truth. 

Was  it  not  a  Centurion,  a  Roman  captain  of  a  hundred 
men,  that  gave  that  simple  and  beautiful  illustration  of 
his  faith  as  he  kneeled  before  the  Saviour  pra3'ing  for 
his  servant?  How  pure  must  have  been  his  life,  and 
how  clear  and  strong  his  faith,  to  bring  from  our  Lord 
that  high  commendation,  "  Verily,  I  say  unto  3'ou,  I  have 
not  found  so  great  faith,  no,  not  in  Israel." 

We  cannot  forget  that  amidst  the  darkness  and  horror 
of  the  crucifixion  conviction  seized  the  heart  of  another 
Koman  soldier,  and  while  the  Jews  derided  the  sutfering 
Christ,  he  exclaimed,  "  Truh%  this  man  was  the  Son  of 
God." 

It  was  in  the  house  of  Cornelius  of  the  Italian  band, 
''a  devout  man,  that  feared  God  with  all  his  house,  who 
gave  much  alms  to  the  people,  and  praA-ed  to  God 
always,"  that  the  gospel  message  was  opened  to  the 
heathen  world.  To  this  godly  soldier  an  angel  was  sent 
to  assure  liim  tliat  his  "  pra3'ers  and  his  alms  had  come 
up  for  a  memorial  before  God."     On  hiu>,  his  family,  and 


RELIGION   AMONG   SOLDIERS.  11 

his  "devout  sokliers,"  the  Holy  Ghost  fell  while  Peter 
preached,  and  like  as  it  was  on  the  day  of  Pentecost, 
thej'^  "  spake  with  tongues  and  magnified  God."  Thus, 
at  the  headquarters  of  the  "  Italian  band"  at  Ca?sarea 
was  the  first  Church  of  Gentile  converts  established. 

Centurion  Julius,  of  "Augustus'  band,"  under  whose 
charge  Paul  was  sent  to  Rome,  was  a  kind-hearted,  gal- 
lant soldier,  if  not  a  Christian ;  for  he  "  entreated  the 
Apostle  courteously,"  and  gave  him  libertj^  when  they 
touched  at  Sidon,  "  to  go  unto  his  friends  and  refresh 
liiraself"  And  when  Paul  and  his  companions  were 
sliip wrecked  on  the  island  of  Malta,  another  soldier, 
"  whose  name  was  Publius,"  "  the  chief  man,"  or  gover- 
nor, "  received  them  and  lodged  them  three  da3's  cour- 
teously." It  was  doubtless  under  a  deep  sense  of  this 
man's  kindness  that  St.  Paul  prayed  for  his  sick  father, 
'•  and  laid  his  hands  on  him  and  healed  him." 

In  every  age  of  the  Church  since,  soldiers  have  been 
found  among  the  most"  zealous  and  devoted  followers  of 
the  Redeemer. 

When  Christianity  was  made  popular  by  the  example 
and  patronage  of  Roman  Emperors,  of  course  thousands 
of  all  classes  flocked  to  her  standard  ;  but  history'  also 
shows  that  ever}^  rise  of  the  pure  faith  in  ages  of  super- 
stition and  ignorance,  every  genuine  revival,  has  been 
sustained  and  helped  forward  by  military  men.  Among 
the  Reformers  in  German3%  in  France,  and  in  England, 
there  were  "  devout  soldiers,"  who  wielded  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit  as  valiantly-  against  the  enemies  of  the  Lord 
as  they  did  the  sword  of  war  against  the  enemies  of 
their  country. 

Whatever  some  may  think  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  there 
is  no  doubt  that  he  was  a  devout  and  earnest  Christian, 
and  that  there  was  much  sound  religion  among  his  in- 
vincible "  Ironsides."  He  talks  of  experimental  religion 
as  no  man  could  who  had  not  felt  its  inward  and  renew- 
ing power.     After  a  number  of  fruitless  efforts  against 


12  TIIK    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

the  Royalists,  he  determined  to  rally  "  men  of  religion" 
to  his  cause,  convinced  that  "  with  a  set  of  poor  tapsters 
and  town  apprentice  people"  he  could  never  overcome 
the  forces  of  the  King.  With  these  "  men  of  religion" 
he  alwa^'s  conquered.  They  marched  into  battle  singing 
psalms  and  shouting  such  watchwords  as,  "  The  Lord  of 
Hosts  !"  How  far  their  invincibility  was  grounded  in 
their  religion,  Cromwell  shall  judge  for  us  :  "  Truly  I 
think  he  that  prays  and  preaches  best  will  fight  best.  I 
know  nothing  that  will  give  like  courage  and  confidence 
as  the  knowledge  of  God  in  C'hrist  will ;  and  I  bless 
God  to  see  any  in  this  army  able  and  willing  to  impart 
the  knowledge  they  have  for  the  good  of  others,"  From 
this  unfailing  source  he  drew  the  strengtli  and  wisdom 
so  conspicuous  in  his  own  deeds.  "  He  seldom  fought 
without  some  text  of  Scripture  to  support  him." 

In  his  reverses  and  victories  he  saw  the  hand  of  God. 
When  his  cause  looked  gloomy  he  urged  his  soldiers  "to 
see  if  any  iniquity  could  be  found  in  them,"  and  to  put 
away  '-the  accursed  thing."  When  victory  crowned  his 
arms,  he  would  exclaim,  "  This  is  nothing  but  the  hand 
of  God."  He  taught  his  soldiers  to  regard  themselves 
as  the  "instruments  of  God's  glor}''  and  their  country's 
good." 

In  the  great  revival  which  prevailed  in  England  under 
the  preaching  of  Whitefield,  the  Wesleys,  and  their  asso- 
ciates, godly  soldiers  bore  a  conspicuous  part.  And  in 
America,  no  laj'^  preacher  was  more  zealous  and  success- 
ful than  Captain  Thomas  Webb,  of  the  British  army. 
Converted  under  the  preaching  of  John  Wesle}'  at  Bris- 
tol, England,  he  soon  began  to  recommend  in  public  tlie 
grace  which  had  renewed  his  own  heart.  Afterwards  in 
America  he  preached  with  great  fervor,  and  as  he  alwa^'^s 
appeared  before  the  people  in  his  military  dress,  he  at- 
tracted large  crowds,  and  many  of  his  hearers  felt  tlie 
power  of  the  gospel  proclaimed  by  this  soldier  of  the 
Cross. 


RELIGION   AMONG   SOLDIEKS.  13 

The  name  of  Col.  Gardiner  is  "like  ointment  poured 
forth."  Wild  and  profligate  in  early  life,  he  strove,  after 
his  conversion,  to  make  some  amends  for  his  sinful  ca- 
reer by  his  zeal  and  devotion  in  the  cause  of  Christ. 
His  full  influence  for  good  only  the  final  day  will  reveal. 
By  the  highborn,  and  the  lowly,  his  religious  power  was 
felt  and  confessed.  He  found  the  army  an  inviting  field 
for  Christian  effort,  and  his  earnest  toil  was  repaid  with 
richest  fruits.  One  of  his  dying  dragoons  said  "he 
should  have  everlasting  reason  to  bless  God  on  Colonel 
Gardiner's  account,  for  he  had  been  a  father  to  him  in 
all  his  interests,  both  temporal  and  spiritual." 

Such  he  was  to  all  the  men  under  his  command.  He 
fought  against  every  form  of  vice.  "  He  often  declared 
liis  sentiments  with  respect  to  profanity  at  the  head  of 
his  regiment ;  and  urged  his  captains  and  their  subal- 
terus  to  take  the  greatest  care  that  they  did  not  give  the 
sanction  of  their  example  to  it." 

For  every  oath  a  fine  was  imposed,  and  the  money 
used  to  provide  comforts  for  the  sick  men.  ■  Of  this  plan 
he  says:  "I  have  reformed  six  or  seven  field  officers  of 
swearing.  I  dine  with  them,  and  have  entered  them  in- 
to a  voluntary  contract  to  pay  a  shilling  to  the  poor  for 
everj'  oath ;  and  it  is  wonderful  to  observe  the  effect  it 
has  had  already.  One  of  them  told  mc  this  day  at  din- 
ner that  it  had  really  such  an  influence  upon  him,  that 
being  at  cards  last  night,  when  another  officer  fell  a 
swearing,  he  was  not  able  to  hear  it,  but  rose  up  and  left 
the.  compan3\  So,  you  see,  restraints  at  first  arising 
from  a  low  principle,  may  improve  into  something  bet- 
ter." 

The  renown  of  Havelock  is  immortal.  But  not  as  a 
warrior  only  is  he  remembered.  The  odor  of  his  piety 
and  the  fruits  of  his  faith  will  sur\ave  the  imposing 
monuments  raised  in  memory  of  his  devotion  and  valor. 
He  was  a  brilliant  light  in  the  midst  of  thick  darkness. 
His  life  was  great  in  deeds  of  piet}^ ;  his  death  was  glo- 
lA 


14  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

rious.  On  a  litter,  in  a  soldier's  little  tent,  the  stricken 
vrarrior  lay.  "lie  would  allow  of  no  attendance  but 
that  of  his  wounded,  gallant  boy,  On  this,  the  last  day 
of  his  life,  General  Outram  came  to  see  him.  The  two 
friends  had  often  faced  death  together,  and  passed 
through  tr^'ing  scenes  side  by  side,  and  a  warm  alTection 
had  sprung  up  between  them.  Outram  approached  the 
side  of  the  dying  hero  and  inquired  how  he  was.  Have- 
lock  replied  that  he  never  should  be  any  better,  "but," 
he  added,  "  for  more  than  forty  years  I  have  so  ruled  my 
life  that  when  death  came  I  might  face  it  without  fear. 
I  am  not  in  the  least  afraid.  I  die  happy  and  content- 
ed ;  to  die  is  gain."  Finding  himself  rapidly  failing,  he 
left  messages  for  his  wife  and  children  far  away  on  the 
Rhine,  and  "then  told  his  son  to  come  and  see  how  a 
Christian  could  die."  "  He  sleeps  on  the  field  of  his 
fame,  and  his  lonely  tomb,  beneath  the  tropical  grove, 
is  hung  round  with  unfading  laurels,  and  never  will  the 
Christian  traveller  or  soldier  pass  it  without  dropping 
one  tear  to  him  who  sleeps  beneath." 

Hedley  Vicars  was  an  excellent  Christian  soldier.  In 
the  midst  of  the  dangers  attending  the  hard  service  in 
the  Crimea  he  was  as  peaceful  and  happy  as  if  reposing 
quietly  with  his  friends  at  home.  In  one  of  his  letters 
from  Sebastopol  he  saj^s  to  his  sister :  "It  is  six  months 
since  I  have  been  in  reach  of  a  house  of  prayer,  or  have 
had  an  opportunity  of  receiving  the  sacrament ;  3'et  never 
have  I  enjoyed  more  frequent  or  precious  communion 
with  my  Saviour  than  I  have  found  in  the  trenches,  or  in 
the  tent.  When,  I  should  like  to  know,  could  we  find 
the  Saviour  more  precious  than  when  the  bullets  are  fall- 
ing around  like  hail?"  Again  he  writes  :  "I  have  often 
heard  it  said,  'the  worse  man,  the  better  soldier.'  Facts 
contradict  this  untruth.  Were  I  ever,  as  the  lead- 
er of  a  forlorn  hope,  allowed  to  select  my  men,  h 
would  most  certainly  be  from  among  the  soldiers  of 
Christ,    for   who  should  fight   so   fearlessly  and  brave- 


EELIGION  AMONG  SOLDIERS.  15 

ly  as  those  to  whom  death  presents  no  after  ter- 
rors?" 

"You  should  be  braver  than  the  rest  of  us,"  said  some 
of  his  brother  officers  to  Dabney  Carr  Harrison,  one  of 
the  heroes  of  the  South  in  the  late  war,  after  witnessing 
some  exhibition  of  his  serene  fearlessness  in  danger. 
"Wh}'^  so?"  said  he,  pleasantly.  "Because,"  said  they, 
"3'ou  have  everything  settled  for  eternity.  You  have 
nothing  to  fear  after  death."  "Well,  gentlemen,"  he 
said,  solemnly,  after  a  moment's  pause,  "3'ou  are  right. 
Everything  is  settled  for  eternity  ;  and  I  have  nothing  to 
fear." 

General  Joseph  Warren,  the  first  eminent  sacrifice  in 
the  Revolutionar}'^  war,  spent  two  full  hours  in  prayer  the 
night  before  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  "  When  he  rose 
from  his  knees,  there  was  no  anxiety  on  his  face  ;  all  was 
peace  and  joyful  trust  in  God.  He  gave  a  few  simple 
directions,  took  a  cup  of  coflTee  and  a  light  breakfast,  and 
left  for  the  lines  on  Bunker  Hill,  where  his  life  was  given 
up,  as  he  had  prayed,  a  cheerful  sacrifice  for  his  coun- 
try." 

The  bravery  of  Christian  soldiers  in  battle  has  been 
well  attested.  Some  rigid,  irreligious  disciplinarians  are 
often  ann03^ed  by  the  zeal  of  godl}'  men  in  an  army,  but 
great  commanders  like  Cromwell  and  Washington  know 
how  to  turn  this  zeal  to  good  account. 

An  officer  once  complained  to  General  Andrew  Jack- 
son that  some  soldiers  were  making  a  noise  in  their  tent. 
"What  are  they  doing?"  asked  the  General.  "They 
are  praying  now,  but  they  have  been  singing,"  was  the 
reply.  "And  is  that  a  crime?"  the  General  demanded. 
"The  articles  of  war  order  punishment  for  any  unusual 
noise,"  was  the  repl3^  "  God  forbid  that  praj^er  should 
be  an  unusual  noise  in  my  camp,"  said  Jackson,  and  ad- 
vised the  officer  to  join  the  praying  band. 

In  a  desperate  battle  a  pious  cavalrj^man  had  his  horse 
killed  under  him  by  a  cannon  ball.    "  Where  is  your  God 


Ifi  TITE    GREAT   REVIVAL. 

now?"  exclaimed  an  ungodly  officer  near  him.  He  re- 
plied, "  Sir,  he  is  here  with  me,  and  he  will  bring  me  out 
of  this  battle."  The  next  moment  the  officer's  head  was 
taken  off"  by  a  cannon  ball.  Faith  in  God  gives  true 
courage.  A  line  of  battle  was  formed,  and  waiting  for 
the  word  to  move  on.  "  I  stepped  out  of  the  line,"  says 
a  Christian  soldier,  "  and  threw  myself  on  the  ground, 
and  prayed  that  God  would  deliver  me  from  all  fear  and 
enable  me  to  behave  as  a  Christian  and  good  soldier. 
Glory  be  to  God,  he  heard  my  cry  and  took  away  all  my 
fear.  I  came  into  the  ranks  again,  and  had  both  peace 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost."  Another,  as  he  marched  to 
battle,  exclaimed,  in  the  fullness  of  hope,  "I  am  going 
to  rest  in  the  bosom  of  Jesus !"  When  the  day  closed 
he  was  in  heaven. 

Such  honor  God  puts  upon  his  faithful  servants,  even 
amidst  the  sins  of  the  camp  and  the  horrors  of  the  bat- 
tle-field. In  the  Southern  armies  the  moral  miracles 
were  as  great  as  ever  appeared  among  armed  men  since 
the  dawn  of  Christianity  And  among  the  sad  memo- 
ries of  our  struggle,  the  recollection  of  the  great  and 
blessed  work  of  grace  that  swept  through  all  military 
grades,  from  the  General  to  the  drummer-boy,  is  "the 
silver  lining"  to  the  dark  and  heavy  cloud  of  war  that 
shook  its  terrors  on  our  land. 


SUBJECTS  OF   THE   REVIVAL.  17 


CHAPTER  II. 
SUBJECTS   OF   THE   REVIVAL. 

There  is  a  strongly  marked  difference  between  armies 
of  invasion  and  armies  of  defence.  The  former  are  of- 
ten mere  bands  of  butchers  following  at  the  heels  of 
some  ambitious  leader.  But  when  men  fight  for  coun- 
tr}',  kindred,  and  home,  they  bear  a  moral  character  that 
lifts  them  above  mercenary  motives. 

Soldiers  may  fight  bravelj^  for  glor}',  or  for  gain.  We 
sliould  not  underrate  the  valor  of  the  men  that  bore  the 
standards  of  Alexander,  Cffisar,  and  Napoleon,  to  so 
many  victories ;  but  take  from  such  soldiers  the  esjorit  du 
corps,  and  you  have  left  no  pure  and  high  inspiration 
which  makes  it  "sweet  to  die  for  one's  country." 

In  our  war  the  Northern  people  fought,  as  they  de- 
clared, to  maintain  the  Union  as  it  came  from  the  hands 
of  the  fathers ;  the  Southern  people  fought  for  the  right 
of  self-government.  The  war  was  brought  to  our  doors, 
and  was  waged  against  us  with  the  most  determined  and 
relentless  spirit.  Our  people  were  thoroughly  aroused, 
and  rushed  into  the  army  from  all  ranks  of  society. 
They  bore  with  them  the  convictions,  thoughts,  and  hab- 
its they  had  been  accustomed  to  in  peaceful  life.  They 
were  citizen  soldiers  ;  and  though  they  shook  off  to  some 
extent,  in  the  early  part  of  the  war,  the  influences  of  ed- 
ucation and  religion  ;  yet,  when  dangers  thickened,  and 
disease  and  death  thinned  their  ranks,  these  returned 
upon  th^^m  with  increasing  power. 

The  feelings  of  true  patriotism  lie  next  to  the  higher 
sentiments  of  religion  in  the  heart,  and  the  man  that 
cheerfully  bears  the  3'^oke  for  the  sake  of  his  oppressed 
country  will  not  stubbornly  refuse  to  bear  the  yoke  of 


18  T11J2    GKEAT    REVIVAL. 

Christ,  Therefore,  the  patriotic  fervor  which  prevailed 
amoTifj  the  Southern  soldiers  superinduced  a  state  of 
mind  highly  favorable  to  the  work  of  religion. 

In  most  nations  the  privates  of  an  army  are  "raked 
up  from  the  lowest  tier  of  human  society."  Their  offi- 
cers look  upon  them  as  so  much  bone  and  muscle,  to  be 
wrought,  b}'  iron  discipline,  into  a  huge  engine  of  de- 
struction culled  an  army. 

If  war  is  a  necessary  evil,  why  should  we  strip  those 
who  engage  in  it  of  the  common  attributes  of  humanity? 
Soldiers  are  more  than  "food  for  cannon."  They  have 
like  passions  with  other  men,  and  may  be  reached  by 
the  same  means  that  have  been  proved  to  be  efficient  in 
the  salvation  of  other  men. 

Never  were  these  divinely  appointed  means  more  fully 
tested  than  during  the  late  civil  war ;  and  surely  never 
were  they  found  more  effectual  in  turning  men  "from 
darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
God."  In  the  midst  of  all  the  privations  and  horrors  of 
war  "  the  grace  of  God  appeared"  unto  thousands  and 
tens  of  thousands  in  the  camp  and  in  the  hospital, 
"teaching  them  that,  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly 
lusts,  they  should  live  soberlj^  righteously,  and  godly  in 
this  present  world."  The  subjects  of  this  revival  were 
found  among  all  classes  in  the  army.  Generals  in  high 
command,  and  officers  of  all  lower  grades,  as  well  as 
private  soldiers,  bowed  before  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  and 
with  deep  penitence  and  earnest  prayer  sought  the  par- 
don of  sins  through  the  atoning  blood  of  Christ. 

Speaking  of  those  who  obeyed  the  call  of  mercy  in 
the  ranks  of  the  army,  a  writer  in  the  midst  of  the  war 
exclaims :  "  We  cannot  express  our  feelings  wiiile  wo 
think  of  them.  Glorious  fruits  of  the  grace  of  God  are 
these  men  that  have  been  '  born  again'  on  fields  of  blood. 
They  left  their  homes  for  battle  with  a  desperate  foe — 
they  entered  into  associations  and  upon  scenes,  by  uni- 
versal consent,  the  most  unfavorable  to  piety  ;  but  the 


SUBJECTS   OF   THE   REVIVAL.  19 

ever-blessed  Saviour  went  with  tliein ;  listening  to  ten 
thousand  fervent  prayers,  he  revived  his  work  and  made 
the  still,  small  voice  to  be  heard  amid  the  thunder  of  war. 
It  is  a  sublime  expression  of  mercy.'' 

In  contemplating  such  a  revival,  we  naturally  look  at 
its  subjects  with  deep  interest.  Who  were  they?  "What 
were  they?  What  characteristics  did  those  men  present, 
who  were  lions  in  the  day  of  battle,  and  yet  wept  and 
beat  their  breasts  in  great  sorrow  when  they  thought  of 
their  sins? 

Is  there  not  something  peculiar  in  these  men  who  are 
converted  while  they  stand  guard,  or  lie  in  their  rifle- 
pits,  or  sit  by  their  camp-fires,  through  the  dismal,  rainy 
nights?  These  men  that  walk  their  beats  filled  witli  the 
love  of  God,  and  shout  his  praises  in  the  thunder  of 
battle? 

We  have  already  referred  to  the  patriotic  fervor  that 
pervaded  the  Southern  armies.  In  addition  to  this,  our 
camps  were  blessed  from  the  outbreak  of  the  strife  with 
moral  and  religious  men  who  never  forgot  their  obliga 
tions  to  God.  The  army  had  in  it  every  class  of  be 
lievers,  from  the  bishop  to  the  neophyte.  Preachers 
students  of  divinity,  Sunday-school  teachers  and  schol 
ars,  elders,  deacons,  vestrymen,  class-leaders,  stewards 
exhorters — men  from  all  the  official  grades  of  all  the  de 
nominations  of  Christians  took  up  arms  and  swelled  the 
ranks  of  the  army. 

Some  of  these,  alas !  cast  away  the  "  pearl  of  great 
price,"  others  suflfered  its  lustre  to  be  dimmed,  but  the 
majority  kept  it  bright  and  untarnished  throughout  the 
dreadful  ordeal.  The  influence  of  such  men  in  the  worst 
of  armies  would  be  powerful  for  good  ;  how  great  it  must 
have  been  among  such  soldiers  as  marched  under  the 
Southern  banner  !  It  has  been  well  observed  that  "  no 
Christian  soldier  can  pass  through  a  campaign,  and  ex- 
emplify the  Christian  tempers  and  qualities  looked  for 
in  a  follower  of  Christ,  without  dropping  seeds  of  saving 


JIO  TllE   GREAT  REVIVAL. 

grace  into  some  minds  and  hearts  that  will  culminate  in 
everlasting  life." 

The  irreligious  men  who  were  blessed  with  these  god- 
ly examples  were  not  strangers  to  their  pious  comrades. 
They  were  often  from  the  same  town,  county,  or  district, 
and  at  home  had  felt  the  same  religious  power  that  was 
brought  to  bear  upon  them  in  the  army.  The  gospel 
preached  in  the  camp  was  not  a  new  sound  to  them,  nor 
were  the  words  of  praj-er  a  strange  language.  It  was 
home-like  to  meet  for  tlie  worship  of  God,  and  not  un- 
frequently  the  same  minister  whom  they  had  known  in 
their  distant  homes  lifted  up  his  voice  among  them  "  in 
the  wilderness,"  and  called  them  to  repentance.  How 
often  were  scenes  like  the  following  witnessed  amon^ 
the  rough-looking  men  in  "  gray  jackets,"  who  crowded 
the  "  log  chapels"  to  hear  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation. 
Rev.  Dr.  Sehon,  writing  of  his  labors  among  the  soldiers 
in  General  Lee's  army,  saj^s : 

"  A  most  interesting  incident  occurred  during  the  ex- 
ercises of  the  evening : 

"A  request  was  made  for  a  Bible  for  the  stand.  Seve- 
ral were  ready  to  respond.  The  book  was  received  from 
a  tall  and  interesting  looking  young  man.  I  noticed  his 
large  blue  eyes  and  attractive  face  as  he  came  forward 
and  placed  the  hol}'^  book  before  me.  Instantly  his  home 
rose  before  me.  I  fancied  how  father,  mother,  brothers, 
sisters,  felt  when  he  left,  and  how  they  thouglit  of  and 
prayed  for  him.  While  lining  the  hymn  I  turned  to  the 
title  page  of  the  Bible  and  then  my  eyes  were  filled  with 
tears.  On  the  blank  leaves  were  written  the  parting 
words  of  love  and  affection  of  the  dear  ones  at  home, 
with  the  kind  advice  and  earnest  praj^ers  for  the  safety 
and  happiness  of  the  owner  of  the  book.  I  closed  the 
book  with  feelings  of  most  sacred  character,  and  was  far 
better  prepared,  by  this  simple  incident,  for  the  solemn 
services  of  the  hour.  In  the  course  of  the  sermon,  I  re- 
marked that  they  were  now  peculiarl3'^  the   sul)jects  of 


SUBJECTS   OF   THE   REVIVAL.  21 

earnest  prayer  and  anxious  solicitude.  That  for  them, 
at  this  rery  hour,  prayer  from  many  a  heart  and  home- 
altar  was  ascending  to  God — that  as  in  the  rolume  I 
then  held  in  my  hand,  which  had  been  laid  on  tlie  table 
by  my  unknown  young  friend,  so  each  had  with  him  u 
'similar  silent,  yet  painful  witness  of  the  anxiety,  devo- 
tion and  prayers,  as  pledged  in  these  sacred  gifts  of 
their  loved  ones  at  home — that  they  should  now  pray 
themselves  to  their  heavenly  Father  and  engage  earnest- 
ly in  his  service. 

"There  was  a  low  and  gentle  wail  which  came  up  from 
that  weeping  crowd  like  the  mournful  sounds  of  the 
passing  breeze  through  the  lofty  pines  of  the  distant 
forest." 

The  intelligence  and  social  position  of  the  Confede- 
rate soldiers  were  higher  than  we  usually  find  in  large 
bodies  of  troops.  The  private  at  home  was  often  equal, 
and  sometimes  superior  in  social  status  to  the  officer 
that  led  him,  and  did  not  forget  the  claims  of  good 
breeding  after  he  entered  the  army.  "  I  am  proud  to 
say  it  for  Confederate  soldiers,"  said  the  venerable  Dr. 
Lovick  Pierce,  of  Georgia,  "that  for  a  long  time  while 
travelling  with  hundreds  and  thousands  of  them  on  all 
the  railroads  used  for  transportation,  I  have  heard  less 
profane  language  issuing  from  them  than  I  have  ever 
heard  from  any  promiscuous  crowd  of  travellers  in  all 
my  journeyings.  It  is  a  well-earned  fame,  and  deservea 
an  imperishable  record.  Most  of  them  seem  to  belong 
to  the  gentleman  stock." 

Said  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Atkinson :  "  The  talent,  the  en- 
ergy, patriotism — and  now,  it  would  seem,  the  piety  of 
the  country  is,  for  the  most  part,  to  be  found  in  the  army. 
One  of  the  most  remarkable  manifestations  of  this  time, 
and  of  the  war,  is  the  character  of  our  armies.  It  is  un- 
like that  of  any  soldiers  known  in  history.  In  religious 
fervor,  in  intelligent  patriotism,  they  resemble  the  best 
troops  of  the  English  Commonwealth,  when  least  infected 


28  TILE   OUKAT   REVIVAL. 

with  fanatical  rancor  and  selfish  ambition.  But  in  re- 
finement, in  urbanity,  in  education,  in  simplicity  of  pur- 
pose, in  intelligent  appreciation  of  tlie  questions  involved 
and  the  interests  at  stake,  and  above  all,  in  Christian 
sensibility,  at  once  kindly  and  fervent,  catholic  and 
deep,  it  is  incomparably  superior  to  the  best  soldiers  of 
Cromwell's  army.  The  reciprocal  feeling  which  binds 
our  armies  to  our  people,  and  our  people  to  our  armies, 
is  another  peculiarity  of  this  time  and  this  contest.  Our 
soldiers  are  not  foreign  mercenaries,  fighting  for  plunder 
or  pay ;  not  worthless  adventurers,  fighting  for  fame  or 
power ;  not  religious  fanatics  or  partisan  warriors,  bat- 
tling for  a  name  or  a  man.  But  their  hearts  are  still  in 
tlieir  homes.  The  cherished  images  of  their  dear  pa- 
rents, their  wives  and  children,  are  still  before  them. 
The}''  are  fighting  with  resolute  and  tenacious  power, 
with  generous  and  self-sacrificing  valor." 

On  the  souls  of  such  men  the  truths  of  the  gospel 
rested  with  saving  power.  And  even  the  most  wicked 
and  reckless  among  them  were  often  readily  impressed 
and  easily  led  into  the  ways  of  virtue  and  religion. 

"At  the  commencement  of  the  war,"  wrote  an  officer, 
"  I  organized  a  company  of  cavalry.  My  men  were 
taken  from  all  grades  of  society ;  the  very  great  ma- 
jority, however,  were  wicked  and  profane.  I  soon  found 
that  it  would  require  ver}"-  prompt  action  on  my  part  if  I 
wished  to  wield  a  moral  influence  over  them.  I  had  told 
them  from  the  first  that  I  sliould  not  permit  gambling  in 
their  tents,  and  I  would  require  them,  when  off  duty  on 
the  Sabbath,  to  observe  it  as  the  Lord's  day.  When 
we  had  been  out  but  a  few  months,  one  night,  after  I 
had  gone  to  rest,  I  was  aroused  by  one  of  my  faithful 
boys  (poor  fellow,  he  afterwards  fell  a  victim  to  the 
Yankees'  bullet),  wlio  informed  me  that  a  number  of  my 
men,  with  others  from  another  company,  were  gambling 
in  one  of  the  tents.  At  once  I  repaired  to  the  place  and 
caught  them  in  tlie  very  act.     I  told  them  with  some 


SUBJECTS   OF   TIIE   REVIVAL.  23 

warmth  that  they  knew  I  was  opposed  to  gambling,  and 
that  I  was  sorry  to  find  so  many  of  them  doing  that 
which  I  had  forbidden ;  that  I  would  not  consent  to  com- 
mand a  set  of  blacklegs  and  blackguards ;  that  they 
must  look  about  for  some  other  person  to  take  charge  of 
them,  iraless  they  would  consent  to  burn  those  cards  and 
promise  me  never  again  to  engage  in  the  game  whilst 
members  of  my  company.  The  leader,  who  was  dealing 
the  cards  at  the  time,  threw  them  down,  remarking,  'We 
want  no  other  captain.'  The  others  assented.  The  cards 
were  destroyed,  their  visitors  left,  and  I  never  after 
caught  them  at  cards  or  heard  of  their  joining  in  this 
wicked  practice." 

The  armies  of  the  South  were  homogeneous.  There 
were  but  a  few  thousand  foreigners  at  any  time  in  the 
Confederate  ranks.  Hence,  there  was  but  little  of  that 
beastliness  and  brutality  displayed  which  marked  the 
foreign  mercenaries  in  the  opposing  armies.  Our  forces 
were  strictly  native  American,  of  the  Southern  tj^DC,  and 
while  they  exhibited  to  a  mournful  extent  the  peculiar 
vices  of  their  race,  they  also  manifested  the  respect  and 
reverence  of  their  race  for  all  the  ordinances  and  insti- 
tutions of  religion.  For,  whatever  may  be  thought  or 
said  of  the  Southern  people  through  ignorance  or  preju- 
dice, one  thing  is  certainly  true,  that  their  religious  sen- 
timents are  deep  and  strong.  And  another  thing  is 
equally  true,  that  among  them  there  have  been  fewer  de- 
partures from  the  great  cardinal  doctrines  of  the  Scrip- 
tures than  among  any  other  people  in  Christendom.  The 
four  or  five  leading  Christian  denominations  which  oc- 
cupy the  South  have  never  been  seriously  disturbed  by 
any  of  those  false  theories  which,  among  other  people, 
have  drawn  away  thousands  from  the  true  faith. 

Itinerant  venders  of  the  various  isms  of  the  age  have 
found  a  poor  market  for  their  wares  among  the  people  of 
the  South.  Hence,  among  the  subjects  of  the  army  re- 
vival there  was  not  found  a  strange  jumble  of  opinions 


24  TIIE   GllEAT   REVIVAL. 

which  had  to  be  cleared  from  the  mind  before  the  simple 
truths  of  the  gospel  could  have  their  full  effect. 

The  heroic  men  on  whom  God  shed  forth  his  Holy 
Spirit  so  abundantly  and  gloriously  are  well  described 
in  the  following  extracts  : 

The  Rev.  James  A.  Duncan,  D.  D.,  draws  this  striking 
picture  of  the  private  soldier  in  the  Confederate  army  : 

"  If  the  private  soldier  be  a  true  man,  there  is  some- 
thing of  moral  sublimity  in  his  conduct  that  attracts  our 
highest  admiration.  And  yet  how  apt  some  people  are 
to  forget  him.  There  is  no  star  on  his  collar,  no  glitter- 
ing ornament  on  his  arm  ;  but  his  plain  gray  jacket  may 
enclose  as  noble  a  heart  as  ever  throbbed  in  a  human 
breast,  or  thrilled  with  patriotic  devotion  on  the  day  of 
battle.  In  sleepless  vigilance  he  paces  his  sentinel  watch 
during  the  long  hours  and  gloom  of  night,  while  the  quiet 
stars  shed  their  soft  light  on  his  musket,  or  the  storm 
and  rain  beat  pitilessly  down  on  his  shivering  body  and 
weary  head.  Look  at  him  in  battle  at  his  gun,  begrimed 
with  powder,  weary,  hungry,  almost  exhausted,  yet  the 
fire  gleams  in  his  fearless  eye  as  he  rams  home  the 
charge,  or  sights  his  piece  at  the  foe.  '  Forward'  is  the 
command  along  the  line,  and  you  can  see  him  as  he 
brings  his  musket  to  a  charge  and  dashes  on  to  the  very 
muzzles  of  the  death-dealing  guns  to  win  the  day  or  die 
in  the  attempt. 

"  Kneel  down  by  him,  when,  wounde.l  and  dying,  he 
lies  there  on  the  field  of  victory  while  the  life-blood  flows 
from  his  heart.  He  speaks  to  3^ou — but  not  a  murmur, 
not  a  complaint  escapes  his  lips — taking  the  locket  from 
his  neck  and  the  Bible  from  his  bosom,  he  tells  you  to 
give  them  to  some  dear  one  at  home,  and  say  that  he 
died  bravely  for  his  country.  Or,  if  he  be  not  mortally 
wounded,  accompany  him  to  the  hospital,  and  watch  his 
fortitude  and  patience  while  in  the  hands  of  the  surgeon. 
See  how  he  suffers,  and  yet  a  General  could  not  bear  it 
better. 


SUBJECTS   OF   THE   REVIVAL.  25 

"  The  private  soldier !  His  is  the  coarse  fare,  hard 
march,  weary  fight — the  drudgery  and  the  hardships  are 
his! 

"  There  is  something  as  inspiriting  in  his  cheerfulness 
in  the  camp  as  there  is  grand  in  his  heroism  on  the  field. 
Now  he  is  a  house  carpenter  building  him  a  shanty,  then 
a  dirt-dauber  constructing  a  mud  chimney.  Now  he  is 
a  cook  frying  "  middling"  on  the  coals  and  baking  bread 
on  a  piece  of  bark  set  up  before  the  fire.  Now  he  is 
washer-7nu?i,  and  has  stripped  off  his  only  shirt  to  have 
it  done  up,  that  he  ma}-  enjoy  a  clean  garment.  In  a 
word,  he  is  a  wonderful  creature,  that  private  soldier 
— he  is  cook,  washer-ivoman,  (?)  carpenter,  tent-maker, 
wagoner,  pedestrian,  clerk,  butcher,  baker,  market  huck- 
ster, groom,  stable-boy,  blacksmith,  scout,  anything  and 
everything  a  man  can  or  must  be  in  camp,  and  then  he 
wins  a  battle  and  gives  the  glory  to  his  officer.  We  like 
him.  His  rich,  ringing  shout,  and  his  merry,  loud  laugh, 
make  music  of  a  manly,  stirring  sort.  His  wit  is  as  origi- 
nal as  it  is  amusing.  It  is  amusing  to  hear  him,  as  his 
regiment  passes  through  a  town  where  hundreds  of  well- 
gro^Ti  exempts  stand  on  the  side-walk,  '  Fall  in,  bo3's ! 
now  is  your  time — ain't  going  to  fight  soon  ?'  Or  to 
hear  the  mock  sympathy  with  which  he  exclaims,  '  Boys, 
ain't  you  almost  big  enough  yet  ?  Never  mind,  if  you 
ain't  but  hrenty-five  j-ears  old,  come  along  with  big  bro- 
ther, he  will  take  care  of  you.'  On  seeing  a  fellow 
dressed  up  in  fine  clothes,  he  cries  out, '  Come  out  of  them 
clothes  ;  I  see  j^ou,  conscript ;  tain't  worth  while  ahidhig 
in  them  clothes.'  Another  will  exclaim,  'Here's  your 
musket ;  I  brought  it  'specially'  for  you  ;  beautiful  thing 
to  tote ;  just  fit  your  shoulder  !' 

"He  moves  our  sympathies  perhaps  yet  more  while 
we  look  at  him  alone  in  his  tent,  or  by  the  camp-fire, 
holding  in  his  hand  the  letter  from  home.  We  cannot 
decipher  the  sacred  contents,  but  we  are  at  no  loss  to 
know  its  effect  upon  the  soldier  as  he  folds  up  the  pre- 


26  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

cions  letter  which  the  hand  of  affection  has  traced  with 
words  of  love,  fond  remembrance,  and  anxious  hopes, 
and  brushes  away  the  tear  that  has  unbidden  come  in 
testimony  of  the  memories  that  have  been  awakened." 

And  the  following  from  the  pen  of  Rev.  R.  H.  Rivers, 
D.  D.,  is  not  less  eloquent  and  truthful : 

"The  model  Confederate  soldier  is  a  patriot.  He 
loves  his  country  with  a  deep  and  all-absorbing  passion. 
He  sees  its  broad  acres  desolated,  its  towns  and  cities 
sacked  and  burned,  its  noble  women  insulted  and  exiled, 
its  venerable  men  driven  from  happy  homes  to  pine  in 
penury,  its  priests  torn  down  from  their  pulpits  and  al- 
tars to  languish  in  criminals'  cells,  its  churches  dese- 
crated, and  the  very  graves  of  his  sires  disturbed. 
*********** 

"  Yes,  the  Confederate  soldier  is  a  patriot ;  it  is  for 
this  he  wields  the  sword  and  shoulders  the  musket ;  it  is 
for  this  he  surrenders  home,  bids  adieu  to  all  its  hallowed 
associations,  and  undergoes  the  hardships  of  the  camp, 
the  fatigues  of  the  march,  the  privations  of  ,the  soldier, 
and  the  perils  of  battle. 

"  He  is  brave.  He  marches  without  fear  to  the  brink 
of  death.  The  booming  of  cannon,  the  shrill  sound  of 
rifle  and  musketry,  the  clash  of  arms,  the  smoke  of  bat- 
tle, the  groans  of  the  wounded,  and  the  fallen  corjises  of 
the  dead,  inspire  him  with  no  terror.  Brave,  but  not 
reckless,  he  would  stand,  if  need  be,  in  the  very  front  of 
the  battle,  facing  danger  and  braving  death.  Such  is 
true  courage,  and  it  is  possessed  in  all  its  plenitude  by 
the  model  soldier. 

"  He  is  obedient  to  his  superiors.  Obedience  is  a  high 
duty  of  the  soldier.  Accustomed  almost  from  infancy 
to  command,  and  altogether  unused  to  much  of  the  hard 
and  servile  labor  which  devolves  upon  him  in  the  army, 
he  feels  that  it  is  a  high  virtue  now  to  obey.  Disobedi- 
ence would  be  ruinous  to  the  cause ;  insubordination 
must  bring  defeat  to  our  arms,  and  subjugation  or  exter- 


SUBJECTS  OF  THE  REVIVAL.  2< 

mlnation.  This  he  sees,  and  however  hard  the  labor, 
however  humiliating  the  work,  however  severe  the  task, 
however  perilous  the  undertaking,  he  goes  forward  do- 
ing his  duty,  obeying  orders,  and  exerting  an  influence 
as  extensive  as  our  armies  and  as  potent,  though  quiet 
»  as  '  Heaven's  first  law.'  A  private  in  the  ranks — his 
name  unheralded,  and  his  deeds,  his  noble  deeds,  un- 
sung— he  exerts  an  influence,  by  his  cheerful  obedience, 
as  gentle  as  the  dews  of  heaven,  as  pure  as  the  alembic 
from  which  they  are  distilled,  and  as  fragrant  as  the 
flowers  on  which  the)''  fall." 

These  are  portraits  from  friendly  hands.  Let  us  look 
at  two  others  drawn  by  those  who  were  then  ranked 
among  our  enemies. 

The  first  is  a  picture  by  a  Federal  soldier  of  the  "  Penn- 
sylvania Reserves,"  who  since  the  war  has  published  a 
book  entitled,  "Our  Boys."  He  is  describing  the  con- 
versations that  often  took  place  between  the  Northern 
and  Southern  soldiers  during  a  brief  armistice  : 

"  In  one  of  those  conversations  that  the  soldiers  of 
both  armies  so  frequently  took  with  the  Potomac  rolling 
between  them,  the  following  occurred  : 

"  May  we  ask,"  inquired  the  Federal  soldier,  "  to  what 
regiment  j^ou  belong  ?" 

"  Thirteenth  Virginia  Cavalry." 

"  You  are  one  of  its  oflScers  ?" 

"  Yes ;  I  am  Captain  of  Company  C.  My  name  is 
Andrew  L.  Pitzer." 

"To  repeat  all  the  conversation  that  followed  would  be 
a  task  indeed.  The  war  was  talked  of — the  soldier's  life 
was  discussed.  Jokes  were  perpetrated  freely  ;  but  one 
little  circumstance  occurred  during  the  conversation 
which  made  an  impression  on  my  mind  that  time  can 
never  eflTace.     It  was  as  follows  : 

"  One  of  our  boys  held  up  a  pack  of  cards,  and  called 
out: 

"  Do  you  know  what  this  is  ?" 


28  THE    OKEAT    HEVIVAL. 

"Several  other  rebels  had  l\y  this  time  joined  the  officer, 
who  acted  as  spokesman,  and  continued  to  carry  on  the 
conversation, 

"  I  cannot  see  what  it  is  at  tliis  distance, '  lie  replied. 

"  I'll  tell  you,"  said  the  owner. 

"  What  ?" 

"  The  history  of  the  Four  Kings,'"  was  the  significant 
reply. 

"  Oh  !  j'es — that's — yes — I  understand  now.  Cards,  I 
believe." 

«  Yes." 

'♦  May  I  show  you  the  history  I  read  ?"  asked  the 
rebel. 

"  Yes,  sir,  if  j^ou  please." 

"  Placing  his  hand  to  his  breast,  the  rebel  officer  drew 
from  a  side-pocket  the  most  blessed  of  all  books,  a  small 
Bible.  Ah !  what  a  reproach !  Not  that  it  was  meant 
as  a  repi'oach,  for  it  was  done  with  the  innocence  and 
simplicity  of  a  child ;  but  to  witness  such  an  exhibition 
of  surperior  morals  in  one  upon  whom  we  looked  as  being 
a  rebel — an  insurgent — was  truly  abasing.  IIow  I  should 
like  to  know  whether  he  is  yet  living.  Many  on  our 
side,  who  came  to  the  rocky  brink  and  conversed  with 
him  on  that  day  of  armistice,  have  passed  away  for- 
ever. 

"  I  do  not  remember  who  the  soldier  was  that  exhib- 
ited the  pack  of  cards  to  the  rebel  officer ;  but  there  is 
one  thing  I  do  remember,  and  that  is,  that  he  felt  the  re- 
proof so  sensibly,  that,  after  standing  for  a  moment 
gazing  vacantly  upon  the  cards  as  he  held  them  in  his 
hand,  and  listlessly  twisting  the  corners,  he  threw  them 
over  the  brink,  and  away  they  went  sailing  and  fluttering 
as  they  slowly  descended  to  the  green  waters  many  a 
fathom  below." 

The  second  picture  is  from  Rev.  Dr.  Bellows,  and  was 
drawn  by  him  at  the  Unitarian  Convention  which  met  in 
the  city  of  New  York  in  the  midst  of  the  war.     He  gave 


SUBJECTS   or    THE   REVIVAL.  29 

his  views  of  "  Southern  social  life,"  and  the  influences 
proceeding  from  it,  thus  : 

"  No  candid  mind  will  deny  the  peculiar  charm  of 
Southern  j^oung  men  at  College,  or  Southern  young  wo- 
men in  society.  IIow  far  race  and  climate,  independent 
of  servile  institutions,  may  have  produced  the  Southern 
chivah'ic  spirit  and  manner,  I  will  not  here  consider. 
But  one  may  as  well  deny  the  small  feet  and  hands  of 
that  people,  as  denj'^  a  certain  inbred  habit  of  command ; 
a  contempt  of  life  in  defence  of  honor  or  class ;  a  talent 
for  political  life,  and  an  easy  control  of  inferiors.  Nor 
is  this  merely  an  external  and  flashy  heroism.  It  is  real. 
It  showed  itself  in  Congress  earl}^  and  always  by  the 
courage,  eloquence,  skill  and  success  with  which  it  con- 
trolled majorities.  It  showed  itself  in  the  social  life  of 
Washington,  b}^  the  grace,  fascination  and  ease,  the  free 
and  charming  hospitality  by  which  it  governed  society. 
It  now  shows  itself  in  England  and  France,  by  the  suc- 
cess with  which  it  manages  the  courts  and  the  circles  of 
literature  and  fashion  in  both  countries.  It  shows  itself 
in  this  war,  in  the  orders  and  proclamations  of  its  gene- 
rals, in  the  messages  of  the  rebel  Congress,  and  the  es- 
sential good  breeding  and  humanity  (contrary  to  a  dili- 
gently encouraged  public  impression)  with  which  it  not 
seldom  divides  its  medical  stores,  and  gives  our  sick  and 
wounded  as  favorable  care  as  it  is  able  to  extend  to  its 
own.  It  exceeds  us  at  this  moment  in  the  possession  of 
ambulance  corps. 

"  I  think  the  war  must  have  increased  the  respect  felt 
by  the  North  for  the  South.  Its  miraculous  resources, 
the  bravery  of  its  troops,  their  patience  under  hardships, 
their  unshrinking  firmness  in  the  desperate  position  they 
have  assumed,  the  wonderful  success  with  which  they 
have  extemporized  manufactures  and  munitions  of  war, 
and  kept  themselves  in  relation  with  the  world  in  spite 
of  our  magnificent  blockade ;  the  elasticity  with  whi(;h 
they  have  risen  from  defeat,  and  the  courage  they  have 


30  THE   GREAT  REVIVAL. 

shown  in  threatening  again  and  again  our  capital,  and 
even  our  interior,  cannot  fail  to  extort  an  unwilling  ad- 
miration and  respect.  Well  is  Gen.  JNIcClellan  reported 
to  have  said  (privately),  as  he  watched  their  obstinate 
fighting  at  Antietam,  and  saw  them  retiring  in  perfect 
order  in  the  midst  of  the  most  frightful  carnage  :  'What 
terrible  neighbors  these  would  be !  We  must  conquc* 
them,  or  they  will  conquer  us !' " 


HINDRANCES   TO    THE   llEYIVAL.  31 


CHAPTER  III. 
HINDRANCES   TO    THE   KEVTVAL. 

Our  soldiers,  though  worth}'  of  the  eulogies  we  have 
recorded,  did  not  esc  pe  the  vices  f  a  military  life.  In 
the  first  mouths  of  the  strife  the  call  of  the  war  trumpet 
was  heard  above  all  other  sounds.  The  youn  men  rush- 
ed to  the  camps  of  instruction  ;  and,  freed  from  the  re- 
straints of  home,  and  the  influence  of  pious  relatives, 
thousands  of  them  gave  wa}'  to  tlie  seductive  influences 
of  sin. 

Legions  of  devils  infest;  a  camp.  Vice  rows  in  it  like 
plants  i  a  hot  bed,  and  yields  abundant  and  bitter  fruits. 
"  In  the  Old  Testament  it  is  said,  '  One  sinner  destroyeth 
much  good.'  If  so,  what  destruction  of  good  must  be 
effected  by  a  large  body  of  ungodly  soldiers  in  close  and 
constant  contact,  where  one  may,  without  extravagance, 
consider  them  as  innoculating  each  other  daily  with  the 
new  infection  of  every  debauch  through  which  they 
pass." 

The  "strong  man  armed"  keeps  watch  and  ward  over 
a  camp  of  soldiers,  and  is  not  overcome  and  cast  out 
without  a  tremendous  struggle. 

All  that  can  hinder  a  work  of  grace  confronted  the  re- 
vival in  our  arm}'.  Before  the  "soldiers  of  Christ"  ad- 
dressed themselves  in  earnest,  to  the  work,  gambling, 
profanity,  drunkenness,  and  other  kindred  vices,  prevail- 
ed to  an  alarming  extent. 

The  temptation  to  recklessness  is  strong  among  all 
soldiers.  Religion  is  supposed  to  be  well  suited  to  the 
pursuits  of  peaceful  life,  but  not  to  rough,  uncertain  army 
life. 

"We  are  led  by  custom,"  says  the  celebrated  Adam 


32  THE   GREAT  REVIVAL. 

Smith,  "to  annex  the  character  of  gaiety,  levity,  and 
sprightly  freedom,  as  well  as  of  some  degree  of  dissipa- 
tion, to  the  military  profession.  Yet,  if  we  were  to  con- 
sider what  mood  or  tone  of  temper  would  be  most  suita- 
ble to  this  situation,  we  should  be  apt  to  determine,  per- 
haps, that  the  most  serious  and  thoughtful  turn  of  mind 
would  best  become  those  whose  lives  are  continually  ex- 
posed to  uncommon  danger,  and  who  should,  therefore, 
be  more  constantly  occupied  with  the  thoughts  of  death 
and  its  consequences  than  other  men.  It  is  this  very 
circumstance,  however,  which  is  not  improbably  the  oc- 
casion why  the  contrary  turn  of  mind  prevails  so  much 
among  men  of  this  profession.  It  requires  so  great  an 
effort  to  conquer  the  fear  of  death,  when  we  survey  it 
with  steadiness  and  attention,  that  those  who  are  con- 
stantly exposed  to  it  find  it  easier  to  turn  away  their 
thoughts  from  it  altogether,  to  wrap  themselves  up  in 
careless  security  and  indifference,  and  to  plunge  them- 
selves, for  this  purpose,  into  every  sort  of  amusement 
and  dissipation.  A  camp  is  not  the  element  of  a  thought- 
ful or  melancholy  man ;  persons  of  that  cast,  indeed,  are 
often  abundantly  determined,  and  are  capable,  by  a  great 
effort,  of  going  ou  with  inflexible  resolution  to  the  most 
unavoidable  death.  But  to  be  exposed  to  contkiual, 
though  less  imminent  danger,  to  be  obliged  to  exert,  for 
a  long  time,  a  degree  of  this  effort  exhausts  and  depress- 
es the  mind  and  renders  it  incapable  of  all  happiness 
and  enjoj'ment. 

"  The  ga}"-  and  careless,  who  have  occasion  to  make  no 
effort  at  all,  who  fairly  resolve  never  to  look  before  them, 
but  to  lose  in  continual  pleasure  and  amusement  all  anx- 
iety about  their  situation,  more  easily  support  such  cir- 
cumstances." 

This  is  the  language  of  a  very  eminent  philosopher. 
There  is  truth  and  error  in  it.  This  effort  on  the  part  of 
the  soldier  to  turn  away  his  thoughts  from  death  is  only 
the  more  open  manifestation  of  his  former  indifference  to 


HINDRANCES   TO   TIIE   RE\aVAL.  33 

the  truth.  It  is  sad,  indeed,  to  think  that  great  dangers 
are  often  made  the  occasion  and  excuse  for  great  neglect 
of  our  highest  interests.  The  philosopher  overlooks  the 
great  means  of  overcoming  the  fear  of  death — "  Repent- 
ance towards  God  and  faith  towards  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ."  This  sustains  the  soul  with  the  strength  of 
God,  and  gives  the  assurance  of  eternal  happiness. 

This  reckless  spirit,  we  must  admit,  greatly  prevailed, 
and  was  much  encouraged  by  many  who  had  been  long 
in  the  militar}'^  profession,  and  brought  with  them  into 
our  armies  the  vicious  habits  of  many  j^ears  of  sin. 

The  general  demoralization  which  spread  over  the 
country  was  a  great  barrier  to  the  progress  of  the  truth. 
War  brings  all  evils  in  its  train ;  and  though  founded  in 
justice  and  right,  and  conducted  on  the  highest  principles 
of  civilization,  will  leave  its  frightful  marks  on  every 
feature  of  society.  In  the  Revolutionary  War  good  men 
shuddered  at  the  evils  which  overspread  the  land. 

"  Ignorance  of  God  and  divine  things  greatlj''  prevails. 
Unbelief,  hardness  of  heart,  worldly-mindedness,  covet- 
ousness,  hypocrisy,  a  loathing  of  the  heavenly  manna, 
almost  universally  prevail.  Many  count  gain  to  be  god- 
liness, and  the  most  part  are  seeking  each  one  his  gain 
from  his  quarter. 

"■  There  is  a  grievous  inattention  to  religion  and  virtue 
among  our  civil  rulers,  which,  nevertheless,  are  the  only 
permanent  foundation  of  good  order  in  civil  society ; 
while  a  gospel  ministry  is  neglected  by  those  who  ought 
immediately  to  support  it. 

"Whoredom,  adultery,  and  all  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  de- 
file our  country.  Horrid  profanation  of  the  sacred  word 
of  God,  perjury,  "vdolation  of  the  holy  Sabbath,  neglect 
of  secret  and  family  religion,  and  of  relative  duties, 
pride,  hatred,  malice,  envy,  revenge,  fraud,  injustice, 
gaming,  wantonness,  extortion,  and  dissipation,  have 
come  in  like  a  flood — and  all  this  while  we  are  under  the 
chastening  hand  of  God." 


84  THE   GREAT   RE^HVAL. 

Such  was  the  work  of  sin  during  one  of  the  holy  wars 
of  the  world. 

In  some  sections  of  the  South  during  the  late  war  the 
state  of  morals  was  almost  as  bad — nay,  we  might  say, 
fully  as  bad.  "Many  churches,"  writes  one,  "are  va- 
cant, their  ministers  having  gone  to  the  war.  Most  of 
our  Sunday-schools  are  disorganized,  and  but  few,  1  fear, 
will  be  revived  until  the  war  closes.  Intemperance  and 
profanity  abound,  and  are  fearfully  on  the  increase.  Re- 
ligion is  at  the  lowest  ebb.  Such  a  thing  as  the  conver- 
sion of  souls  seems  scarcely  to  enter  into  the  mind  of 
either  clergy  or  laity." 

Some  may  think  this  picture  overdrawn,  but  there  are 
thousands  of  living  witnesses  who  can  attest  its  correct 
ness. 

Among  the  soldiers  the  great,  overshadowing  evils  were 
lewdness,  profanity,  and  drunkenness  ;  among  the  people 
at  home,  the  "greed  of  gain"  was  the  "accursed  thing." 

It  was  a  melancholy  fact  that  many  men  entered  the 
army  the  avowed  enemies  of  all  intoxicating  drinks  who 
alas  !  very  soon  fell  victims  to  the  demon  of  the  bottle. 
With  many  there  seemed  to  be  a  conviction  that  the  fa- 
tigue and  exposure  of  their  new  mode  of  life  could  not 
be  endured  without  the  artificial  stimulant  of  ardent 
spirits.  This  was  a  great  and  fatal  error.  The  soldier 
does  not  need,  even  in  the  worst  climates,  and  in  the 
hardest  service,  his  rations  of  rum. 

Carefully  collected  and  arranged  statistics,  prepared 
by  the  sanitary  officers  of  the  British  Army,  through  a 
space  of  thirty  years,  establish  the  following  facts  : 

"1.  That  the  total  abstinence  regiments  can  endure 
more  labor,  more  cold,  more  heat,  more  exposure,  and 
more  privations,  than  those  who  have  tlieir  regular  grog 
rations. 

"  2.  That  they  are  less  liable  to  fevers,  fluxes,  pleuri- 
sies, colds,  chills,  rheumatisms,  jaundice,  and  cholera, 
than  otlier  regiments. 


niNDUANCES   TO    THE   REVIVAL.  35 

"3.  That  when  attacked  by  anj^  of  these  diseases 
their  recovery  is  much  more  certain  and  speedy. 

"  4.  That  they  are  much  more  readily  aroused  from 
the  eftects  of  concussions  and  severe  wounds,  and 
are  far  less  liable  to  lockjaw,  or  mortifiation  after 
wounds. 

"  5.  That  only  about  six  in  the  temperance  regiments 
die,  from  all  causes,  to  ten  of  the  other  regiments." 

These  facts  were  collected  from  various  fields  of  ob- 
servation :  Africa,  Canada,  Greenland,  the  East  Indies, 
West  Indies,  and  the  Crimea. 

Robert  Southey  wrote  the  following  to  a  kinsman,  a 
lieutenant  in  the  British  Arm}^ : 

"  General  Peche,  an  East  Indian  officer  here,  told  me 
that  in  India  the  officers  who  were  looking  out  for  pre- 
ferment, and  who  kept  lists  of  all  above  them,  always 
marked  those  who  drank  any  spirits  on  a  morning  with 
an  X,  and  reckoned  them  for  nothing.  '  One  day,'  said 
he,  '  when  we  were  about  to  march  at  day -break,  I  and 

Captain were  in  my  tent,  and  we  saw  a  German 

of  our  regiment.  So  I  said  we'd  try  him  ;  we  called  to 
him,  said  it  was  a  cold  morning,  and  asked  him  if  he 
would  take  a  glass  to  warm  him.  I  got  him  a  full 
beaker  of  brandy  and  water,  and  he  drank  it  off.  When 
he  was  gone,  I  said,  'Well,  what  do  you  thinks  we  may 
cross  him,  mayn't  we?'  'Oh,  yes,'  said  he,  'cross  him 
by  all  means.'  And  the  German  did  not  live  twelve 
months.'  " 

It  is  related  of  the  Duke  of  Wellington,  that  during 
the  Peninsular  war  he  heard  that  a  large  magazine  of 
wine  lay  in  his  line  of  march.  He  feared  more  for  his 
men  from  barrels  of  wine  than  from  batteries  of  cannon, 
and  instantly  dispatched  a  body  of  troops  to  knock 
every  wine-cask  on  the  head. 

General  Havelock,  in  speaking  of  the  forbearance  of 
his  troops  after  storming  the  city  of  Ghunzee  in  Affgan- 
istan,  says :  "  The  self-denial,  merc}^  and  generosity  of 


36  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

the  hour  were,  iu  a  great  degree,  to  be  attributed  to  tlie 
fict  that  the  European  soldiers  had  not  received  spirit 
rations  for  several  weeks,  and  that  the}-  found  no  intoxi- 
cating liquors  among  the  plunder  of  the  city.  Since, 
tiien,  it  has  been  proved  that  troops  can  make  forced 
inarches  of  forty  miles,  and  storm  a  fortress  in  twenty- 
five  minutes  without  the  aid  of  rum,  let  it  not  henceforth 
be  argued  that  distilled  liquors  are  an  indispensable  por- 
tion of  a  soldier's  ration." 

The  cause  of  Christ  was  hindered,  and  that  of  Satan 
promoted  in  the  Southern  armies  by  the  influence  and 
example  of  wicked  and  licentious  officers  and  men. 

One  who  had  observed  the  course  of  intemperance  in 
the  army  wrote  : 

"  The  prevalence  of  vice, — drunkenness  and  profanity 
in  our  camps — is  attributable  to  the  officers  themselves. 
Jiy  far  the  larger  number  of  the  officers  of  our  Southern 
arm_y  are  both  profane  and  hard  drinkers,  where  they  are 
not  drunkards." 

Another  saj-s :  "  There  is  an  appalling  amount  of 
drunkenness  in  our  army.  More  among  the  officers  than 
the  men.     This  evil  is  now  on  the  increase." 

A  surgeon  writing  from  the  army  says :  "I  was  great- 
ly astonished  to  find  soldiers  in  Virginia  whom  I  had 
known  in  Georgia  as  sober,  discreet  citizens — members 
of  the  different  churches — some  deacons,  and  official 
members — even  preachers,  in  the  daily  and  constant  ha- 
bit of  drinking  whiskey  for  their  health." 

An  officer  who  had  visited  many  portions  of  the  army 
gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  with  the  exception  of  the  re- 
verse at  Fort  Donelson,  we  were  defeated  not  by  the  Fe- 
derals but  by  whiskey. 

A  distinguished  General  is  said  to  have  remarked  that 
"  if  the  South  is  overthrown,  the  epitaph  should  be  '  Died 
of  Whisl-ey.'" 

This  was  one  of  the  giant  evils.  Hundreds  all  over 
the  land,  moved  by  an  unholy  desire  for  gain,  engaged  in 


HINDRANCES   TO    TIIE   REVIV^VL.  3/ 

the  manufacture  of  ardent  spirits.  It  was  estimated  that 
in  one  county  in  Virginia,  and  that  not  one  of  the  largest, 
the  distillers,  in  one  year,  consumed  31,000  bushels  of 
grain,  enough  to  furnish  600  families  with  food  for  the 
same  period.  While  the  commissioners,  appointed  by 
the  court  of  that  county  to  procure  grain  to  feed  the  fa- 
milies of  soldiers,  could  not  purchase  enough  for  that 
purpose,  the  smoke  of  fifty  distilleries  darkened  the  air ; 
meanwhile,  the  cries  of  the  poor  mothers  and  helpless 
children  went  up  in  vain  for  bread. 

The  same  was  the  case  in  other  States.  In  one  Dis- 
trict in  South  Carolina  150  distilleries  were  in  operation. 
A  gentleman  in  North  Carolina  said  he  could  count  from 
one  hill-top  the  smoke  of  14  distilleries.  One  of  the 
Richmond  papers  declared  that  a  single  distiller  in  that 
city  made  at  one  period  of  the  war  a  profit  of  14,000  a 
day. 

In  AugiTsta  county,  Va.,  it  was  estimated  that  50,000 
bushels  of  grain  were  consumed  mouthlj'^  by  the  distille- 
ries in  operation  there. 

A  writer  on  this  subject  estimated  that  in  the  second 
year  of  the  war  1,600  barrels,  or  64,000  gallons  of  ardent 
spirits,  of  the  worst  sort,  were  dail}^  manufactured  in  the 
Confederate  States. 

INIen  who  flourish  and  grow  rich  in  such  business  forget 
the  counsel  of  Lord  Bacon,  to  "  seek  only  such  gains  as 
they  can  get  justl}',  use  soberly,  distribute  cheerfull}'", 
and  leave  contentedly." 

The  temptation  to  drinlc  in  the  army  was  very  strong ; 
men  were  cast  down  in  spirit,  awaj'^  from  home,  wife, 
children,  mothers  and  sisters,  all  that  makes  life  dear. 
Many  that  ventured  to  drink  at  all  imder  such  circum- 
stances found  it  hard  to  avoid  excesses. 

But  this  evil  was  not  confined  to  the  soldiers.  In  the 
councils  of  the  General  government  and  State  govern- 
ments its  baleful  influence  was  felt.  And  some  bold, 
stupid  men  declared  that  "they  had  never  heard  of  anj'-- 
2a 


38  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

thing  great  being  accomplished  in  war  without  the  aid  ot 
whiske}'." 

Such  a  remark  could  not  have  been  made  in  serious- 
ness ;  it  was  the  senseless  babbling  of  some  wretched 
votary  of  Bacchus. 

The  best  and  ablest  officers  of  the  army  sought  by  ex- 
ample and  by  precept  to  suppress  this  vice  ;  and  the  fol- 
lowing noble  language  from  General  Bragg  is  a  sample 
of  the  general  orders  issued  from  time  to  time  against 
the  evils  wliich  infested  our  armies  : 

"  Commanders  of  all  grades  are  earnestly  called  upon 
to  suppress  drunkenness  by  every  means  in  their  power. 
It  is  the  cause  of  nearly  every  evil  from  which  we  sufler  ; 
the  largest  portion  of  our  sickness  and  mortality  results 
from  it ;  our  guard-houses  are  filled  b3^  it ;  officers  are 
constantly  called  from  their  duties  to  form  court-martials 
in  conscriLience  of  it ;  inefficiency  in  our  troops,  and  con- 
sequent danger  to  our  cause,  is  the  inevitable  result.  No 
one  is  benefitted  but  the  miserable  wretch  who  is  too  cow- 
ardly to  defend  a  country  he  is  willing  to  sell,  by  destroy- 
ing those  noble  faculties  he  has  never  possessed.  Gal- 
lant soldiers  should  scorn  to  yield  to  such  temptations — 
and  intelligent  and  honorable  officers  should  set  them  an 
example.  They  should  be  encouraged  to  send  to  their 
families  at  home  the  pay  they  receive  for  their  services, 
instead  of  wasting  it  in  their  own  destruction,  and  at  the 
risk  of  the  holy  cause  in  which  they  are  engaged.  Small 
as  the  amount  is,  it  will  cause  many  a  dear  one  to  rise  up 
and  call  them  blessed. 

"'Give  strong  drink  unto  him  that  is  ready  to  perish, 
and  wine  to  those  tliat  be  of  heavy  hearts,' — but  for  us, 
the  glorious  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged  should  fur- 
nish all  the  excitement  and  enthusiasm  necessary  for  our 
success." 

When  ardent  spirits  were  offered  to  our  great  warrior 
Jackson,  in  liis  last  illness,  as  a  medicine,  he  exclaimed, 
"  Give  me  pure  water  and  milk."     And  among  the  sol- 


mNDRANCES    TO    TILE   REVIVAL,  39 

diers  there  were  many  that  followed  the  example  of  this 
great  leader. 

An  occasional  instance  of  moral  heroism  appeared 
amidst  the  wreck  and  ruin  wrought  by  indulgence  in 
strong  drink  : 

"A  little  drummer-boy  in  one  of  our  regiments,"  says 
an  army  correspondent,  "  who  had  become  a  great  favor- 
ite with  many  of  the  ofllcers  bj''  his  unremitting  good  na- 
ture, happened  on  one  occasion  to  be  in  the  officers'  tent, 
when  the  bane  of  the  soldiers'  life  passed  around,  A 
captain  handed  a  glass  to  the  little  fellow,  but  he  refused 
it,  saying,  'I  am  a  cadet  of  temperance,  and  do  not  taste 
strong  drink.'  'But  you  must  take  some  now — I  insist 
on  it.  You  belong  to  our  mess  to-da3^  and  cannot  re- 
fuse.' Still  the  boy  stood  firm  on  the  rock  of  total  ab- 
stinence, and  held  fast  to  his,  integrity.  The  Captain, 
turning  to  the  Major,  said,  '  H —  is  afraid  to  drink  ;  and 
he  will  never  make  a  soldier.'  '  How  is  this  ?'  said  the 
Major,  plaj'-fully ;  and  then  assuming  another  tone,  add- 
ed — '  I  command  j^ou  to  take  a  drink,  and  you  know  it  is 
death  to  disobey  orders.'  The  little  hero,  raising  his 
youug  form  to  its  full  height,  and  fixing  his  clear  blue 
eyes,  lit  up  with  uiiusual  brilliancy,  on  the  face  of  the 
officer,  said,  '  Sir,  my  father  died  a  drunkard ;  and  when 
I  entered  the  army  I  promised  my  dear  mother  on  mj' 
bended  knees  that,  by  the  help  of  God,  I  would  not  taste 
a  drop  of  rum,  and  I  mean  to  keep  my  promise.  I  am 
sorry  to  disobey  orders,  sir,  but  I  would  rather  suffer 
than  disgrace  Tuy  mother  and  break  my  temperance 
pledge.' " 

This  boy  hero,  and  thousands  of  others,  have  had  rea- 
son to  make  the  following  thrilling  lines  the  expression 
of  their  abhorrence  of  drunkenness  : 

"  A  young  lad}'  who  was  in  the  habit  of  writing  con- 
siderably and  in  stirring  tones  on  the  subject  of  temper- 
ance, was  in  her  writings  so  full  of  pathos,  and  evinced 
such  deep  emotion  of  soul,  that  a  friend  accused  her  of 


40  THE   GREAT   RE^aVAL. 

being  a  maniac  on  the  subject  of  temperance,  whereupon 
she  wrote  the  following  : 

"  Go  feel  what  I  liave  felt, 

Go  bear  what  I  have  borne — 
Sink  'neath  a  blow  a  father  dealt, 
And  the  cold  world's  proud  scorn ; 
Then  suffer  on,  from  year  to  year, 
Thy  sole  relief,  the  scalding  tear. 
Go  kneel  as  I  have  knelt. 

Implore,  beseech,  and  pray — 
Strive  the  besotted  heart  to  melt, 
Tiie  downward  course  to  stay. 
Be  dashed  with  bitter  cuise  aside. 
Your  prayers  burlesqued,  your  tears  defied. 

"  Go  weep  as  I  have  wept, 
O'er  a  loved  father's  fall ; 
See  every  promised  blessing  swept — 
Youth's  sweetness  turned  to  gall — 
Life's  fading  flowers  strewed  all  the  way 
That  brought  me  np  to  woman's  day. 
Go  see  what  I  have  seen. 

Behold  the  strong  man  bow, 
A\  ilh  gnashing  teeth,  lips  bathed  in  blood, 
And  cold  and  livid  brow  ; 
Go  catch  his  withering  glance,  and  see 
There  pictured  his  soul's  misery. 

"  Go  to  thy  mother's  side, 

And  her  crushed  bosom  cheer; 
Thine  own  deep  anguish  hide. 

Wipe  from  her  cheek  the  bitter  tear ; 
Mark  her  worn  frame  and  withering  brow ; 
The  gray  that  streaks  her  dark  hair  now — 
With  fading  frame  and  trembling  limb; 
And  trace  the  ruin  back  to  him, 
Whose  plighted  faith  in  earl}'  youth 
Promised  eternal  love  and  truth. 
But  who,  foresworn,  hath  yielded  up, 
That  promise  to  the  cursed  cup ; 
That  led  her  down  tlirough  love  and  light. 
And  all  that  made  her  jirospt'cts  bright, 


HINDRANCES   TO    TIEE   KEVIVAL,  41 

And  chained  her  there,  'mid  want  and  strife, 
That  lowly  thing,  a  drunkard's  wife — 
And  stamped  on  childhood's  brow  so  mild, 
That  withering  blight,  the  drunkard's  child. 

"  Go  bear,  and  see,  and  know. 

All  that  my  soul  hath  felt  and  known, 
Then  look  upon  the  wine-cup's  glow. 
See  if  its  beauty  can  atone — 
Think  if  its  flavor  you  will  try : 
When  all  proclaim,  'tis  drink  and  die  I 
Tell  me  I  hate  the  bowl — 

Uate  is  a  feeble  word, 
/  loathe — ABHOR — my  very  soul 
With  strong  disgust  is  stiyred 
When  I  see.  or  hear,  or  tell, 

Of  the  dark  beverage  of  HEr^L  !" 

But  the  revival  had  other  foes  to  fight  besides  the 
beastly  devil  of  intemperance. 

History  teaches  that  periods  of  great  national  calami- 
ty are  marked  by  great  public  demoralization.  Our  war 
gave  powerful  witness  to  this  sad  truth.  Worldly-mind- 
edness,  a  vaunting  pride,  relaxation  of  morals,  self-seek- 
ing, desperate  gambling,  hard-heartedness,  and  a  host  of 
other  evils  flourished  amidst  the  woes  and  wants  and 
consuming  sorrows  of  the  war. 

But  perhaps  the  most  prominent,  and  in  view  of  the 
condition  of  the  country,  the  most  appalling  evil  was  the 
eager  greed  of  gain  which  fostered  a  wide-spread  and 
cruel  sjjirit  of  extortion. 

If  there  ever  was  a  time  when  the  apostolic  warning, 
that  "  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil,"  received 
a  full  confirmation  among  any  people,  it  was  in  those 
moui'nful  days  of  the  Confederacy  when,  in  all  the  ave- 
nues of  trade,  and  even  close  on  the  rear  of  our  war- 
stricken,  but  unfaltering  army,  like  a  dreadful  portent, 
the  extortioners  sat,  croaking  day  and  night  their  horse- 
leech cry,  Give  !  Give  ! 

All,  classes,  all  trades,  all  professions,  and  both  sexes 


42  THB   GREAT    REVIVAL. 

alas !  seemed  infected  by  the  foul  contagion.  So  univer- 
sal was  the  practice  of  cutting  out  the  "pound  of  flesh," 
that  whenever  an  exception  occurred  it  was  thought 
worthy  of  special  notice  in  all  the  public  prints,  and  was 
referred  to  in  the  pulpits  as  an  instance  of  one,  at  least, 
in  Israel  who  had  not  bowed  the  knee  to  Baal, 

This  cursed  lust  of  gain,  this  Sh>'lock  exaction,  more 
than  all  things  else,  embai'rassed  the  Government,  im- 
paired public  credit,  depreciated  the  currenc3^  caused 
great  distress  among  the  poorer  classes,  sowed  the  seeds 
of  disaffection  broadcast  over  the  land,  and  finally  broke 
the  spirit  of  the  people  and  the  army. 

The  pitiful  fallacy  about  the  inexorable  "  laws  of 
trade,"  which  some,  retaining  a  slight  degree  of  sensi- 
tiveness, plead  as  an  apology  for  extortion,  the  merest 
tyro  in  political  economy  would  hardly  think  of  applying 
to  a  besieged  city,  or  a  country  closed  by  blockade 
against  the  commerce  of  the  world. 

The  evils  which  hung  like  an  incubus  on  the  South, 
and  finally,  with  the  help  of  heavy  Northern  legions,  laid 
her  banners  in  the  dust,  and  her  hopes  in  the  grave,  were 
faithfully  portrayed  by  many  patriotic  citizens  who  watch- 
ed the  progress  of  events. 

The  following  extract  from  a  discourse  delivered  in 
the  city  of  Richmond  during  the  war  by  Rev.  Dr.  Moore, 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  gives  a  dark  but  truthful 
picture  of  the  times  : 

"There  are  evils  inevitable  to  war  from  which  we  can- 
not expect  to  escape.  We  must  expect  to  find  personal 
ambition  in  the  guise  of  patriotism ;  itch  for  office,  witll 
its  horse-leech  cr^^  of  "give,  give;"  favoritism  and  ne- 
potism, by  which  the  sons,  relations  and  friends  of  those 
in  office  will  be  placed  over  the  heads  of  better  and  older 
men,  wlio  are  unable  to  command  this  kind  of  patronage, 
and  must,  therefore,  drudge  in  humbler  and  harder  posi- 
tions ;  wastefulness  in  the  use  of  public  funds  and  the 
granting  of  public  contracts ;    blunders  in  movements. 


inNDRANCliS   TO    THE   REVIVAL.  43 

both  civil  and  militarj^  tliat  are  hard  to  explain  ;  pro- 
voking circumstances  and  red-tape  delays  in  the  transac- 
tion of  public  business ;  insolence  and  petty  tj^anuy  in 
men  raised  from  obscurity,  and  dressed  in  a  little  brief 
authority,  who  lord  it  with  arrogance  and  sometimes  with 
cruelty  over  braver  and  better  men  placed  under  their 
command;  heartless  brutality  in  drunken  surgeons  and 
drunken  nurses  allowing  sick  men  to  pine  and  suffer,  and 
even  to  die  from  sheer  and  inexcusable  neglect ;  drunk- 
enness in  the  ranks,  as  well  as  among  the  officers,  pre- 
paring many  a  gallant  man  for  disgrace  and  defeat  in 
battle,  and  a  drunkard's  grave  when  the  war  is  ended ; 
profanity,  gambling,  pillage  and  speculation  at  least  in 
small  matters.  All  these  evils  are  well-nigh  inevitable 
in  a  time  of  war,  with  our  poor  fallen  nature  as  it  is,  and 
can  only  be  diminished  by  looking  to  that  God  before 
whom  we  bow  this  day  in  reverent  supplication." 

Sins  so  enormous  and  prevalent,  spreading  like  dark 
clouds  over  all  the  land,  and  casting  their.deep  shadows  on 
our  brightest  hopes,  aroused  the  faithful  in  all  the  Church- 
es to  the  most  eai-nest  efforts  against  the  rising  tide  of 
iniquity.  The  pulpits,  and  the  religious  and  secular  press, 
warned  the  people  of  the  rocks  on  which  the  ship  of 
State  was  fast  drifting.  In  the  general  assemblies  of  all 
the  evangelical  Churches,  the  most  decisive  measures 
were  adopted,  with  a  view  to  bring  about  a  thorough  re- 
formation among  our  people. 

At  the  Bible  Convention  in  the  city  of  Augusta,  Ga., 
composed  of  the  leading  ministers  and  laymen  of  the 
different  Christian  denominations.  Bishop  Pierce,  of  that 
State,  in  an  able,  discourse,  depicted  the  condition  of 
public  morals  in  the  following  language  : 

"The  history  of  the  world  confirms  the  testimony  of 
the  Bible  as  to  the  moral  dangers  of  accumulated  treas- 
ure. Wealth  is  favorable  to  every  species  of  wicked- 
ness. Luxury,  licentiousness  of  manners,  selfishness,  in- 
difference to  the  distresses  of  others,  presumptuous  con- 


44  THE   GREAT   RE\aVAL. 

fidcnce  in  our  owii  resources — these  are  the  accompani 
ments  of  affluence,  whenever  the  safeguards  of  the  Di- 
vine word,  both  as  to  the  mode  of  increase  and  proper 
use,  are  disregarded.  As  to  the  higher  forms  of  charac- 
ter and  civilization,  unless  regulated  and  sanctified  by 
Scripture  truth  and  principle,  opulence  has  always  been 
one  of  the  most  active  causes  of  individual  degeneracy 
and  of  national  corruption.  Under  the  influence  of  its 
subtle  poison,  moral  principle  decays ;  Patriotism  puts 
off  its  nobility  and  works  for  liire ;  Bribery  corrupts  the 
judgment-seat,  and  Justice  is  blinded  by  gifts  ;  Benevo- 
lence suppresses  its  generous  impulses,  and  counts  its 
contributions  by  fractions ;  Religion,  forgetting  the  ex- 
ample of  its  Author  and  the  charit}'  of  its  mission, 
pleads  penury,  and  chafes  at  every  opportunity  for  work 
or  distribution ;  Covetousness  devours  widows'  houses 
and  grows  sleek  on  the  bread  of  orphans ;  Usury  specu- 
lates on  Providence  and  claims  its  premium,  alike  from 
suffering  poverty  and  selfish  extravagance ;  Extortion 
riots  upon  the  surplus  of  the  rich  and  the  scrapings  of 
the  poor,  enlarges  its  demand  as  necessity  increases, 
and,  amid  impoverishment,  want,  and  public  distress, 
whets  its  appetite  for  keener  rapine,  and,  with  unsated 
desire,  laps  the  last  drop  from  its  victim  and  remorse- 
lessly sighs  for  more.  The  world  counts  gain  as  godli- 
ness, prosperity  as  virtue,  fraud  as  talent ;  and  money, 
MONEY,  MONEY,  is  the  god  of  the  land,  with  every  house 
for  a  temple,  every  field  for  an  altar,  and  every  man  for 
a  worshii)per.  The  Church,  infected  by  popular  exam- 
ple, adopts  the  maxims  of  men,  grades  the  wages  of  her 
servants  by  the  minimum  standard, .  paj's  slowly  and 
gives  grudgingly,  and  stands  guard  over  her  treasures, 
as  if  Providence  were  a  robber,  and  they  who  press  the 
claims  of  Heaven  came  to  cheat  and  steal. 

"Whenever  the  conservative  laws  of  accumulation  and 
distribution,  as  prescribed  in  the  Bible,  are  ignored,  then 
not  only  does  the  love  of  money  stimulate  our  native 


HINDRAXCES    TO    THE    REAaVAL.  45 

depravit3%  but  the  lioarJed  gain  furnishes  facilities  for 
uncommon  wickedness.  Tlie  attendant  evils  are  uni- 
form. They  have  never  failed  in  the  history  erf  the 
past.  When  commerce,  manufactures,  and  agriculture, 
pour  in  their  treasures,  then,  without  the  counteracting 
power  of  Scripture  truth  and  Gospel  grace,  they  infalli- 
bly breed  the  sins  which  have  been,  under  God,  the  ex*^- 
cutioners  of  nations.  Such  is  the  suicidal  influence  of 
imsanctified  wealth,  that  the  greater  the  prosperity  of  a 
people  the  shorter  the  duration.  The  virulence  of  the 
maladies  superinduced  destroy  suddenl}',  and  that  with- 
out remedy.  Now,  mark  how  apposite,  how  prophetic, 
how  descriptive,  the  word  of  the  Lord :  '  They  that  will 
be  rich  fall  into  temptation  and  a  snare,  and  into  many 
foolish  and  hurtful  lusts.'  '  He  that  maketh  haste  to  be 
rich  shall  not  be  innocent.'  '  He  that  hasteth  to  be  rich 
hath  an  evil  eye.'  How  these  passages  rebuke  the  spirit 
of  speculation,  the  greedy  desires,  the  equivocal  expedi- 
ents, the  high-pressure  schemes  of  the  people  !  '  Lay 
not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  upon  earth.'  'Charge 
them  that  are  rich  in  this  world,  that  they  be  not  high- 
minded  nor  trust  in  uncertain  riches.'  O,  ye  who  make, 
and  save,  and  hide,  and  hoard,  hear  ye  the  word  of  the 
Lord :  '  Your  riches  are  corrupted,  and  your  garments 
are  moth  eaten  ;  your  gold  and  silver  is  cankered,  and 
the  rust  of  them  shall  be  a  witness  against  you  and  shall 
eat  your  flesh  as  it  were  fire.'  O,  ye  who  strut  and  shine 
in  plumage  plucked  from  the  poor  and  needy,  '  ye  have 
received  your  consolation  ;'  '  weep  and  howl  for  the  mis- 
eries that  shall  come  upon  you.' " 


46  THE   GKEAT   REVIVAL. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

HELPS   TO    TIIE   REVIVAL. 

The  circulation  of  the  Word  of  God,  and  the  faithful 
preaching  of  the  gospel  b}^  Chaplains,  and  other  minis- 
ters sent  forth  by  the  Churches,  and  the  distribution  of 
select  religious  literature  by  the  hands  of  pious  colpor- 
teurs, were  the  chief  means  of  bringing  about  the  great- 
est revival,  in  the  midst  of  the  greatest  war,  of  modern 
times.  There  were  other  instrumentalities,  subordinate 
and  collateral  in  their  relations  to  these,  which  were 
often  successful  in  giving  the  thoughts  of  the  soldiers  a 
serious  turn. 

The  loudest  calls  were  for  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and 
the  most  earnest  efforts  were  made  to  meet  the  demand. 
But  owing  to  the  stringency  of  the  blockade,  and  the 
poor  facilities  in  the  South  for  printing  the  Bible,  we 
were  never  able  to  put  a  copy  into  every  hand  that  was 
stretched  out  for  one.  The  Bible  Society  of  the  Confed- 
erate States,  organized  at  Augusta,  Ga.,  in  March,  1862, 
and  the  State  Bible  Societies  already  in  existence,  la- 
bored nobly  to  provide  for  the  wants  of  the  country. 

Findhig  that  for  the  main  supply  they  must  rely  on 
importations  from  abroad,  the  Confederate  Bible  Society 
directed  its  Corresponding  Secretary,  Rev.  Dr.  E.  H. 
Myers,  to  communicate  with  the  British  and  Foreign  Bi- 
ble Societ3%  with  the  view  of  securing  such  occasional 
supplies  as  might  be  lucky  enough  to  escape  the  dangers 
of  the  blockade  and  reach  our  ports. 

Dr.  Myers,  after  detailiug  the  operations  of  the  Socie- 
ty, said  :  "  The  proposition  is  simplj^  that  we  be  allowed 
a  credit  with  your  Society  for  the  Scriptures  we  need — 
say  to  the  value  of  about  =£1,000, — until  such  time  as 


IIELrS   TO    THE   REVIVAL.  47 

sterling  exchange  is  reduced  to  about  its  usual  cost — we 
paying  iiderest  on  our  purchase  until  the  debt  is  liqui- 
dated." 

To  this  letter  the  following  noble  response  was  sent, 
granting  the  Society  three  times  the  amount  they  asked, 
free  of  interest : 

London,  10  Earl  Street  Blackfriars,  ) 
October  10,  1862.  $ 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Myers  : 

Dear  Sir, — I  beg  leave  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of 
3'our  letter  of  the  19th  of  August,  which  did  not,  how- 
ever, reach  us  until  the  3d  of  this  month.  The  request 
which  it  contains  was  immediately  submitted  to  our  Com- 
mittee for  their  consideration  and  decision,  and,  I  have 
much  pleasure  in  informing  you  that  it  was  unanimously 
agreed  that  your  request  should  be  complied  with,  and 
that  the  Scriptures  should  be  sent  as  directed,  to  Messrs. 
Fraser,  Trenholm  &  Co.  The  only  portion  of  your  letter 
to  which  the  Committee  demurred  was  that  in  which  you 
proposed  that  interest  should  be  paid  upon  the  debt  until 
it  was  liquidated.  We  could  not,  for  a  moment,  entertain 
such  a  proposition.  We  are  only  too  thankful  that  God 
has  in  his  providence  put  in  our  hands  the  means  of  sup- 
plying your  wants.  Into  the  political  question  which  now 
agitates  the  States  of  America,  it  is  not  our  province  to 
enter.  We  hear  of  multitudes  wounded  and  bleeding, 
and  we  cannot  pass  by  on  the  other  side,  when  it  is  in 
our  power  to  do  something  towards  staunching  the  wounds 
and  to  pour  into  them  some  few  drops  of  the  Balm  of 
Gilead.  May  He  who  sitteth  above  the  water-floods 
speedily  command  peace,  and  as  Jesus  in  the  days  of 
his  flesh  trod  the  l)oisterous  waves  of  the  Sea  of  Galilee 
into  stillness,  so  may  he  walk  upon  the  rough  waters  of 
political  strife  and  fierce  contention,  which  now  desolate 
your  country,  with  such  majesty  and  mercy  that  immedi- 
ately there  may  be  a  great  calm. 


48  THE    GIIEAT    RE^^VAI.. 

"  You  will  then  understand,  my  dear  sir,  that  a  credit 
lias  been  granted  by  our  Society  to  the  Bible  Society  of 
tlie  Confederate  States  to  the  amount  of  £3,000  free  of 
interest,  and  that  the  books  will  be  forwarded  as  directed 
to  Messrs.  Fraser,  Trenholm  &  Co.  The  first  order, 
which  has  already  reached  us,  will  be  executed  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible.  It  will  be  gratifying  to  our  Com- 
mittee to  receive  any  account  of  the  work  of  God  within 
the  District  which  your  Society  embraces  with  which  you 
may  be  pleased  to  favor  us. 
I  am,  ray  dear  sir, 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

Charles  Jackson, 

Secretary. 

This  venerable  institution  gave  another  illustration  of 
the  principles  on  which  it  is  founded  by  granting  to  Rev. 
Dr.  Hoge,  of  Virginia,  who  went  abroad  during  the  war 
to  procure  religious  reading  matter  for  our  soldiers, 
10,000  Bibles,  50,000  New  Testaments,  and  250,000  por- 
tions of  the  Scriptures,  "  raainlj^  for  distribution  among 
the  soldiers  of  the  Confederate  Army." 

With  the  portion  of  these  grants  that  passed  in  to 
us  through  the  blockade,  the  New  Testaments  printed 
within  our  limits,  and,  we  are  happy  to  say,  several 
donations  from  the  American  Bible  Society — one  of 
20,000  Testaments  to  the  Baptist  Sunday  School  Board, 
and  others  through  the  Bible  Society  of  the  city  of  Mem- 
phis— our  camps  were  kept  partially  supplied  with  the 
Divine  Word.  We  saj-^  partially,  for  often  the  distribu- 
tion would  be  limited  to  a  single  copy  of  the  Bible  or 
Testament  for  a  mess  of  five  or  six  men. 

So  urgent  was  the  appeal  from  all  portions  of  the 
array  for  more  Bibles,  that  the  people  at  home  were 
called  upon  to  send  to  the  various  depositories  all  the 
spare  copies  about  their  houses.  In  this  way  many  a 
precious  heirloom  copy  of  the  Word  went  forth  on   its 


HELPS   TO    THE   REVIVAL.  4!t 

mission  of  mercy.  One  lady  sent  a  beautiful  pocket- 
Bible,  with  the  following  note  : 

"  This  Bible  was  the  property  of  my  dear  son  H , 

who  died  three  years  ago  ;  it  was  given  him  by  his  only 
sister,  about  the  time  he  was  taken  sick.  For  this  rea- 
son I  have  kept  it  back,  but  seeing  the  earnest  request 
in  the  papers,  and  as  I  can  no  longer  read  its  sacred 
pages,  after  dropping  a  tear  at  parting  with  it,  I  send  it 
for  the  use  of  the  soldiers.  I  had  given  away  long  since 
all  I  could  find  about  the  house,  and  now  send  you  this, 
hoping  that,  with  God's  blessing,  it  may  save  some 
soul." 

Before  the  fall  of  Nashville,  arrangements  had  been  per- 
fected there  for  printing  the  entire  Bible.  The  Western 
Publishing  House  of  the  Baptist  Church  issued  an  edi- 
tion in  the  first  year  of  the  war,  and  a  copy  was  sent  to 
President  Davis,  who  acknowledged  it  in  the  following 
terms  :  "  The  Bible  is  a  beautiful  specimen  of  Southern 
workmanship,  and  if  I  live  to  be  inaugurated  the  first 
President  of  the  Confederacy,  on  the  22d  of  February, 
my  lips  shall  press  the  sacred  volume  which  your  kind- 
ness has  bestowed  upon  me." 

In  all  his  career,  as  the  beloved  and  honored  Presi- 
dent of  the  Confederacy,  and  as  the  victim  of  a  long 
and  cruel  imprisonment,  has  this  eminent  Christian 
Statesman  shown  that  he  has  been  guided  in  his  actions 
by  the  ])rinciples,  and  comforted  in  his  sorrows  by  the 
l)romises  of  this  blessed  Book  of  Life. 

The  eager  desire  of  our  soldiers  to  possess  tlie  Bible 
is  worthy  of  permanent  record,  and  the  war  abounded 
with  the  most  touching  incidents  illustrative  of  their  ap- 
preciation of  the  holy  volume. 

During  a  skirmish  some  of  our  men  were  ordered  to 
the  front  as  sharpshooters,  and  directed  to  lie  on  the 
ground  and  load  and  fire  as  rapidly  as  possible.  After 
a  short  time  the  ammunition  of  one  of  these  men  was 
expended,  and  though  his  position  was  ver}'  dangerous 


50  THE    OKEAT    REVIVAL. 

as  it  was,  it  would  liave  been  certain  death  to  procure  a 
fresh  supply.  '•  In  this  condition,"  says  an  e3'e  witness, 
"this  soldier  drew  from  his  pocket  his  Bible,  and  while 
the  balls  were  whizzing  about  him,  and  cutting  the  grass 
at  his  side,  quietly  read  its  precious  pages  for  a  few 
moments,  and  then  closed  his  eyes  as  if  engaged  in 
prayer."  This  was  not  unlike  the  case  of  the  poor  little 
collier  boy,  the  only  son  of  his  mother,  and  she  a  widow. 
A  mine  had  fallen  in,  and  buried  a  niimber  of  men  with 
this  poor  3-onth ;  after  several  days  the  mine  was  opened 
and  the  bodies  recovered.  By  the  side  of  the  boy  was 
found  an  old  tin  box,  on  which  he  had  scratched  these 
words :  "  Dear  mother,  don't  cry.  "VYe  are  singing  and 
praying  to  the  last,  and  God  is  down  here  with  us." 

"  We  were  present  not  long  since,"  wrote  an  army  cor- 
respondent, "  when  a  chaplain,  at  the  close  of  public 
service,  announced  that  he  had  a  prospect  of  being  able 
to  get  a  suppl}'  of  Testaments  for  the  portion  of  the 
men  still  destitute,  and  that  those  who  wished  a  copy 
could  give  him  their  names  after  the  benediction. 
Scarcely  had  the  last  words  of  blessing  died  on  the 
minister's  lips  before  the  war-worn  heroes  charged  on 
him  almost  as  furiously  as  if  storming  the  enemy's 
breast-works." 

Another  narrates  the  following :  "  As  some  of  the 
Confederate  troops  were  marching  through  Fredericks- 
burg, Va.,  with  bristling  bayonets  and  rumbling  artiller3% 
a  fair  lady  appeared  on  the  steps  of  a  dark  brown  man- 
sion, her  arms  filled  with  Testaments,  which,  with  gra- 
cious kindness  and  gentle  courtesy,  she  distributed  to 
the  passing  soldiers.  The  eagerness  with  which  they 
were  received,  the  pressing  throng,  the  outstretched 
hands,  the  earnest  thanks,  the  unspoken  blessings  upon 
the  giver,  thus  dispensing  the  word  of  Life  to  the  armed 
multitude,  to  whom  death  might  come  at  any  moment — 
all  made  up  a  picture  as  beautiful  as  any  that  ever  shone 
out  amid  the  dark  relatives  of  war.     As  a  rough  Texan 


HELPS    TO    THE    REVIVAL.  51 

said,  '  If  it  was  not  for  the  ladies,  God  bless  them,  there 
would  be  no  use  fighting  tliis  war.'" 

A  chaplain  in  the  army  said,  that  during  the  battle  of 
Fredericksburg,  he  saw  many  soldiers  reading  their  Tes- 
taments with  the  deepest  attention  while  lying  in  the 
trenches  awaiting  orders. 

Such  scenes  were  of  almost  daily  occurrence  during 
the  progress  of  the  war. 

The  amount  of  ministerial  labor  performed  in  the 
Confederate  army  the  final  day  only  can  reveal.  Many 
of  the  best  ministers  of  the  various  Churches  went  out 
as  chaplains,  and  "  endured  hardness  as  good  soldiers" 
for  the  sake  of  immortal  souls.  They  were  instant  in 
season  and  out  of  season ;  some  of  them  fell  on  the 
battle-fields  by  the  bullet,  and  not  a  few  in  the  hospitals 
by  disease,  while  ministering  to  the  spiritual  wants  of 
the  men  who  bravely  fought  and  died.  And  many  still 
survive  who  bear  the  scars  of  wounds,  and,  what  is  yet 
more  honorable  and  comforting,  the  recollection  of  duties 
well  performed. 

But  the  work  became  too  great  for  the  regular  chap- 
lains. A  great  demand  arose  for  ministerial  reinforce- 
ments. Pious  officers  and  private  soldiers  earnestl}^ 
appealed  to  the  Churches  to  send  their  ablest  preachers 
"  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against  the  mighty."  That 
great  and  good  man.  General  Jackson,  in  a  letter  to  the 
Presbyterian  General  Assembly,  gave  the  following 
opinion  on  the  subject  of  providing  adequate  religious 
instruction  for  the  army  : 

"  My  views  are  summed  up  in  few  words, 

"  Each  branch  of  the  Christian  Church  should  send 
into  the  army  some  of  its  most  prominent  ministers  who 
are  distinguished  for  their  piety,  talents,  and  zeal,  and 
such  ministers  should  labor  to  produce  concert  of  action 
among  chaplains  and  Christians  in  the  army.  These 
ministers  should  give  special  attention  to  preaching  to 
regiments  which  are  without  chaplains,  and  induce  them 


52  TnE   GREAT   RK^^VAL. 

to  take  steps  to  get  chaplains,  to  let  the  regiments  name 
the  denominations  from  which  they  desire  chaplains  se- 
lected, and  then  to  see  that  suitable  chaplains  are  se- 
cured. A  bad  selection  of  a  chaplain  may  prove  a  curse 
instead  of  a  blessing.  If  the  few  i^rominent  ministers 
thus  connected  with  each  army  would  cordially  co-ope- 
rate, I  believe  that  glorious  fruits  would  be  the  result. 
Denominational  distinctions  should  be  kept  out  of  view, 
and  not  touched  upon.  And,  as  a  general  rule,  I  do  not 
think  that  a  chaplain  who  would  preach  denominational 
sermons  should  be  in  the  army,  ilis  congregation  is  his 
regiment,  and  it  is  composed  of  various  deiiominations. 
I  would  like  to  see  no  question  asked  in  the  army  what 
denomination  a  chaplain  belongs  to,  but  let  the  question 
be.  Does  he  preach  the  gospel?  The  neglect  of  the 
spiritual  interests  of  the  army  may  be  seen  from  the 
fact  that  not  one-half  of  my  regiments  have  chaplains. 
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  ** 

"  Among  the  wants  of  the  Church  in  the  army  are  some 
ministers  of  such  acknowledged  superiority  and  zeal  as, 
under  God,  to  be  the  means  of  giving  concert  of  action. 
Our  cha])hiins,  at  least  in  the  same  military  organization 
encamped  in  the  same  neighborhood,  should  have  their 
meetings,  and  through  God's  blessing  devise  successful 
plans  for  spiritual  conquests.  All  the  other  departments 
of  the  army  have  system,  and  such  system  exists  in  any 
other  department  of  the  service  that  no  one  of  its  offi- 
cers can  neglect  his  duty  without  diminishing  the  effi- 
ciency of  his  branch  of  the  service.  And  it  appears  to 
me  that  when  men  see  what  attention  is  bestowed  secu- 
larly in  comparison  with  what  is  religiously,  thej"^  natu- 
rally under-estimate  the  importance  of  religion.  From 
what  I  have  said,  you  may  think  I  am  despondent ;  but 
thanks  to  an  ever  kind  Providence,  such  is  not  the  case. 
I  do  not  know  when  so  many  men,  brought  .together 
without  any  religious  test,  exhibit  so  much  religious  feel- 
ing. 


HELPS   TO    THE   nE^^VAL.  53 

"  The  striking  feature  is  that  so  much  that  is  hopeful 
should  exist,  wlien  so  little  human  instrumentality  has 
been  employed  for  its  accomplishment.  In  civil  life, 
ministers  have  regular  meetings  to  devise  means  for  co- 
operation in  advancing  the  interests  of  the  Church. 
This  can  be  done  in  the  army,  and  I  am  persuaded  it 
should  be.  ******** 

"  Some  ministers  ask  for  leave  of  absence  for  such 
trivial  objects,  in  comparison  with  the  salvation  of  the 
soul,  that  I  fear  they  give  occasion  to  others  to  think  that 
such  ministers  do  not  believe  that  the  salvation  of  the 
soul  is  as  important  as  they  preach.  It  is  the  special 
province  of  the  chaplains  to  look  after  the  spiritual  in- 
terests of  the  army,  and  I  greatly  desire  to  see  them 
evincing  a  rational  zeal  proportional  to  the  importance 
of  their  mission.  Do  not  believe  that  I  think  the  chap- 
lains are  the  only  delinquents.  I  do  not  believe,  but 
know,  that  I  am  a  great  delinquent,  and  I  design  say- 
ing what  I  have  said  respecting  the  laxness  of  chap- 
lains to  apply  to  all  of  them.  I  would  like  to  see  each 
Christian  denomination  send  one  of  its  great  lights  into 
the  army.  By  this  arrangement  I  trust  that  if  anj^ 
one  should  have  denominational  feelings,  that  they  will 
not  be  in  the  way  of  advancing  a  common  and  glorious 
cause." 

In  response  to  this  and  similar  appeals,  the  Churches 
renewed  their  efforts  on  behalf  of  the  soldiers.  The 
army  became  a  home  mission  field  of  the  greatest  fruit- 
fulness.  Evangelists,  missionaries,  and  regular  pastors 
whenever  they  could  leave  their  charges,  joined  in  the 
noble  task  of  preaching  Christ  to  the  struggling  sons  of 
the  South.  The  religious  wants  of  the  army,  and  the 
best  methods  for  supplj^ng  them,  were  among  the  chief 
topics  of  discussion  in  all  the  large  Church  assemblies. 
There  were  but  few,  if  any  indeed,  that  drew  back  from 
this  hard  but  blessed  toil.  When  we  remember,  then, 
that  no  Christian  Church  in  the  South  failed   to  do  its 


54  TIIK    OUEAT    UEVIVAL. 

part  in  the  great  Avork  of  army  evangelization,  we  may 
form  some  adequate  estimate  of  the  amount  of  moral 
influence  brought  to  bear  on  the  soldiers  by  means  of 
the  preached  Word,  And  these  good  men  endured 
cheerfull^y  all  the  hardships  of  the  soldier's  life.  In  all 
seasons  the}'  toiled  for  souls  ;  and  glorious  was  their  re- 
ward. By  thousands  the  men  of  war  rushed  to  the 
standard  of  the  Cross,  and  joyfully  embraced  the  hope 
of  salvation.  He  who  did  his  work  in  the  army  faith- 
fully found  the  position  of  an  evangelist,  a  missionary, 
or  a  chaplain,  no  sinecure.  There  was  ample  work  for 
all  in  this  grand  mission  field. 

Rev.  Dr.  Stiles,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  one  of 
the  most  eloquent  and  able  ministers  in  America,  who 
gave  himself  when  above  seventy  years  of  age  as  an 
EA'angelist  to  the  army  work  with  an  apostolic  fervor 
and  zeal,  gives  us  the  following  sketch  of  the  work  of  a 
faithful  chaplain  : 

"  These  men  not  only  give  themselves  laboriously  to 
the  ordinary  duties  of  the  Christian  ministry  in  their  pe- 
culiar position,  but  their  earnest  love  of  Christ,  and  the 
soldiers'  life  prompts  them  to  a  course  of  extraordinary 
self-denying  service,  admirably  adapted  to  revive  and 
extend  the  interests  of  the  Christian  Church  in  the 
army. 

"They  form  camp  churches  of  all  the  Christians  ot 
every  denomination  in  their  regiments.  The  members 
are  expected  to  practice  all  the  duties  of  bi'Otherly  love, 
Christian  watchfulness,  and  Christian  discipline.  In- 
deed, they  are  taught  to  feel  themselves  under  every  ob- 
ligation of  strict  membership.  The  chaplain  writes  to 
every  miiiister  or  church,  with  which  the  member  maj'- 
have  been  connected,  or  the  young  convert  desires  to  be 
united,  and,  giving  the  name  of  the  person,  solicits  the 
prayers  of  the  said  church,  both  for  the  individual  and 
tlie  whole  camp  church,  and  by  correspondence  keeps 
them  apprised  of  the  walk  and    history  of  tlie  party. 


HELPS    TO    TlIK    llEVIVAL.  65 

These  chaplains  keep  a  minute  record,  not  only  of  the 
names  of  the  whole  regiment,  but  of  all  that  may  assist 
them  either  to  save  the  sinner  or  sanctify  the  believer. 
Some  of  them  have  ten  or  twelve  columns  opposite  the 
names  of  the  diiTerent  companies  of  the  regiment,  so 
headed  as  to  suppl}^  all  that  personal  knowledge  of  the 
part}''  which  might  be  serviceable  in  promoting  their 
spiritual  welfare.  These  columns  they  fill  up  gradually 
with  such  intelligence  as  they  may  be  able  to  obtain  in 
their  pastoral  visitations — when  sick,  wounded,  or  slain ; 
when  awakened,  convicted,  converted — all  important  in- 
formation is  conveyed  by  the  chaplain  to  the  family  and 
the  church.  These  things  must  necessarily  follow — the 
work  of  the  faithful  chaplain  is  most  laborious ;  he  is 
held  in  the  very  highest  and  warmest  estimation  by 
ever}^  man  in  the  regiment,  saint  and  sinner.  He  pos- 
sesses a  power  to  sanctify  and  save  them  which  nothing 
but  earnest  and  hard-working  devotion  could  finally  se- 
cure." 

Working  in  harmony  with  these  grand  instrumentali- 
ties, there  were  other  subordinate  influences  wliicli  are 
well  worthy  of  notice. 

The  part  borne  by  the  noble  and  pious  women  of  the 
South  in  our  war  is  eminently  worth}'  of  permanent  re- 
cord. They  were  the  angels  of  mercy  that  moved  among 
the  sick  and  dying  and  turned  their  thoughts  to  God  and 
heaven.  In  tlie  early  part  of  the  conflict,  before  the  go- 
vernment had  fully  organized  the  Commissariat  of  the 
Army,  their  nimble  fingers  made  up  th.e  clothing  for 
nearly  all  our  soldiers.  All  over  the  South,  matron  and 
maid  vied  with  each  other  in  these  glad  toils.  And  with 
clothing  thc}'^  sent  every  article  that  cox;ld  contribute  to 
the  comfort  of  the  troops.  Their  beds  were  stripped  of 
blankets  and  quilts,  their  pianos  of  india-rubber  covers, 
their  floors  of  carpets,  to  shelter  their  brave  defenders 
from  the  rigors  of  winter.  Often  the  costliest  jewehy 
and  plate  were  sold  to  buy  supplies  for  the  army, — and 


56  THifi    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

nothing  was  deemed  too  valuable  to  be  devoted  to  the 
cause  which  was  freighted  with  all  their  hopes.  Their 
children  were  given  as  freely  as  their  money.  A  more 
than  Spartan,  a  Christian  heroism  glowed  in  their  hearts 
and  brightened  all  their  deeds.  Without  repining,  even 
with  cheerfulness,  tliey  bore  all  the  hardships  of  the 
war,  and  amid  want  and  woe,  doubt  and  disaster,  cheer- 
ed on  their  husbands,  sons  and  fathers  in  the  path  of 
duty. 

When  in  the  progress  of  the  war  those  places  of  rest 
and  refreshment  for  the  weary  and  hungry  soldier  sprang 
up,  the  wayside  hospitals,  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the 
South  were  their  presiding  geniuses.  The  white,  smooth 
pillow,  the  clean  bed,  the  well-swept  floor,  the  tempting 
food  to  suit  the  sick  soldier's  appetite,  T^ere  all  their 
handy-work.  They  met  him  at  the  door,  and  often  with 
their  own  hands  relieved  him  of  the  heavy  knapsack  and 
the  soiled  white  cotton  haversack  in  which  he  carried  his 
cold  corn  dodger  and  uncooked  pork,  and  sent  him  to 
some  quiet  bed  where  he  lay  down  thanking  God  for  the 
angels  that  had  met  him  in  his  journey. 

These  welcome  resting-places,  and  the  scenes  that 
daily  occurred  in  them,  are  thus  described  by  a  lady, 
one  of  the  most  gifted  women  of  the  South,  who  soothed 
the  sorrows  of  many  a  sick  and  wounded  soldier  : 

"These  wayside  hospitals  are  located,  generally,  at 
the  depot  of  some  railroad,  where  the  sick  and  wounded 
soldier  immediately  as  he  leaves  the  cars,  exhausted, 
weary  and  faint,  finds  a  grateful  shelter,  where  surgical 
aid,  refreshments  and  attention,  are  immediately  tender- 
ed him.  These  institutions  are  generally  supported  en- 
tirely by  voluntary  contributions,  and  refreshing  and  de- 
lightful is  it  to  see  the  unstinted  supplies  coming  daily 
in  and  always  equalling  the  demand.  Much  faith  and 
prayer  have  been  put  in  exercise  for  tliese  tarrying- 
places  for  the  war-worn  soldier,  so  that  their  'bread  and 
water'  has  never  j-et  failed  ;  nor  do  we  believe  they  ever 


IIELPS    TO    THE    REVIVAL.  57 

shall,  while  the  people  of  a  covenant-keeping  God  claim 
his  exceeding  great  and  precious  promises. 

"  There  are  many  cases  of  pathetic  interest  to  be  met 
Tvith  at  these  hospitals.  One  I  will  relate,  as  an  incite- 
ment to  early  piety,  and  as  another  testimony  to  the 
power  of  our  holy  religion  : 

"After  I  had  ministered  to  several  of  the  wounded,  I 
drew  near  the  couch  of  one  whose  case  was  considered 
one  of  the  worst  there,  but  who  appeared,  since  his 
wounds  had  been  dressed  and  refreshments  adminis- 
tered to  him,  much  relieved.  After  conversing  some 
time  with  him,  he  asked  my  name.  I  told  him,  and  that 
I  was  the  wife  of  the  gentleman  who  had  just  been  giv- 
ing him  his  breakfast — (for  he  had  to  be  fed  as  an  in- 
fant). I  told  him,  moreover,  that  the  gentleman  was  a 
preacher — a  Methodist  preacher.  '  I  am  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Church,'  said  he,  '  and  would  he  be  kind 
enough  to  pray  for  me  now,  for  I  have  not  heard  the 
voice  of  prayer  for  many  months.' 

"After  the  prayer  was  ended,  the  subject  of  religion 
continued  to  be  our  theme.  He  said  he  was  quite  re- 
signed to  God's  will  concerning  him,  and  that  he  was 
not  afraid  to  die  ;  and  while  dwelling  on  the  goodness 
of  God,  his  countenance  assumed  that  serene  and  beau- 
tiful expression,  indicative  of  peace  within  and  joy  in 
the  Holy  Ghost.  Well  was  it  for  him  that  he  had 
strength  from  on  high,  and  that  the  everlasting  arms  of 
God's  love  were  his  support,  for  in  a  few  hours  from  the 
time  we  conversed  together  it  was  found  amputation  of 
his  arm  would  be  necessary,  from  which  he  suffered  ex- 
cruciatingly until  death  came  to  his  relief.  But  all  the 
time  of  his  mortal  agony  his  faith  remained  firm  and 
imshaken,  and  he  pillowed  his  sinking  head  on  the 
bosom  of  Jesus,  and  'breathed  his  life  out  sweetly  there,' 
while  to  all  around,  witnessing  a  good  confession  of 
Christ's  power  to  save,  to  the  uttermost,  all  those  that 
put  their  trust  in  him." 


58  THE   GRKAT    RE^^VAL. 

Not  only  in  these,  but  in  the  regular  hospitals  oiir 
women  showed  themselves  the  dearest  earthly  friends  of 
the  soldier.  Some  of  the  best  appointed  hospitals  were 
under  their  charge,  and  the  success  which  attended  their 
efforts  to  heal  the  sick  drew  unwilling  praises  from  those 
officials  who  regarded  such  work  as  beyond  the  sphere  of 
womanly  duties. 

It  is  a  pleasing  task  to  present  the  reader  with  a  view 
of  Southern  women  among  the  sick,  wounded  and  dying, 
ministering  at  the  same  time  to  the  body  and  the  soul. 
Scenes  like  the  following  were  witnessed  all  over  the 
South : 

At  Richmond,  Va.,  there  was  a  little  model  hospital 
known  as  "The  Samaritan,"  presided  over  by  a  lady  who 
gave  it  her  undivided  attention,  and  greatly  endeared 
herself  to  the  soldiers  who  were  fortunate  enough  to  be 
sent  there.  "  Through  my  son,  a  young  soldier  of  eigh- 
teen," writes  a  father,  "  I  have  become  acquainted  with 
this  lady  superintendent,  whose  memory  will  live  in  many 
hearts  when  our  present  struggle  shall  have  ended.  But 
for  her  motherly  care  and  skillful  attention,  my  son,  and 
many  others,  must  have  died.  One  case  of  her  attention 
deserves  special  notice  :  A  young  man,  who  had  been 
previously  with  her,  was  taken  sick  in  camp  near  Rich- 
mond. The  surgeon  being  absent,  he  lay  for  two  weeks 
in  his  tent  without  medical  attention.  She  sent  several 
requests  to  his  Captain  to  send  him  to  her,  but  he  would 
not  in  the  absence  of  the  surgeon.  She  then  hired  a 
wagon,  and  went  for  him  herself;  the  Captain  allowed 
her  to  take  him  away,  and  he  was  soon  convalescent. 
She  says  she  feels  that  not  their  bodies  onlj%  but  their 
souls,  are  committed  to  her  charge.  Thus,  as  soon  as 
they  are  comfortably  fixed  in  a  good,  clean  bed,  she  in- 
quires of  every  one  if  he  has  chosen  the  good  part ;  and 
through  her  instruction  and  prayers  several  have  been 
converted. 

"  Her  house  can  easily  accommodate  twenty,  all  in  one 


IIELPS   TO    THE   REVIVAL.  59 

room,  which  is  made  comfortable  in  winter  with  carpet 
and  stove,  and  adorned  with  wreaths  of  evergreen  paper 
flowers  ;  and  in  summer  well-ventilated,  and  the  windows 
and  yard  filled  with  greenhouse  plants.  A  library  of  re- 
ligious books  is  in  the  room,  and  pictures  are  hung  all 
round  the  walls.  Attached  is  a  dining-room  for  the  con- 
valescent patients,  supplied  by  private  families,  except 
the  tea  and  coffee,  which  are  made  in  the  room ;  and 
there  is  also  a  dressing-room  where  they  keep  their  knap- 
sacks, &c.  The  rooms  are  kept  in  order  by  the  conva- 
lescents, who  serve  under  her  direction,  and  learn  to  love 
their  respective  duties.  The  sick  are  supplied  with  every 
thing  that  can  make  them  comfortable.  Morning  and 
evening  services  are  held,  consisting  of  reading  the  Scrip- 
tures, singing  and  prayer ;  and  she  is  her  own  chaplain, 
except  when  she  can  procure  a  substitute.  Thus  has  she 
been  engaged  since  April  1861,  with  uninterrupted  health 
and  unparalleled  success,  making  soldiers,  and  mothers, 
and  wives  glad,  and  heaven  rejoice  over  repenting  sin- 
ners." 

Here  is  another  sketch  of  a  soldier's  friend,  who  la- 
bored in  some  of  our  largest  hospitals : 

"She  is  a  character" — writes  a  soldier — "a  Napoleon 
of  her  department ;  with  the  firmness  and  courage  of 
Andrew,  she  possesses  all  the  energy  and  independence 
of  Stonewall  Jackson.  The  officials  hate  her ;  the  sol- 
diers adore  her.  The  former  name  her  '  The  Great  East- 
em,'  and  steer  wide  of  her  track  ;  the  latter  go  to  her  in 
all  their  wants  and  troubles,  and  know  her  by  the  name 
of  '  Miss  Sally.'  She  joined  the  army  in  one  of  the  re- 
giments from  Alabama,  about  the  time  of  the  battle  of 
Manassas,  and  never  shrunk  from  the  stern  privations  of 
the  soldier's  life  from  the  moment  of  leaving  camp  to 
follow  her  wounded  and  sick  Alabamians  to  the  hospitals 
of  Richmond.  Her  services  are  not  confined,  however, 
to  the  sick  and  wounded  from  Alabama.  Every  sick  sol- 
dier ha*s  now  a  claim  on  her  sympathy.     While  but  yes- 


GO  THE   GllEAT   KEVIVAL. 

terday,  my  sj'-stem  having  succumbed  to  the  prevailing 
malaria  of  the  hospital,  she  came  to  m}'^  room,  though  a 
stranger,  with  my  ward  nurse,  and  in  the  kindest  manner 
offered  me  her  services,  and  soon  after  leaving  returned 
to  present  me  a  pillow  of  feathers,  with  case  as  tid}'  as 
the  driven  snow.  The  very  light  of  it  was  soothing  to 
an  aching  brow,  and  I  l)lessed  her  from  my  heart  and  lips 
as  well.  I  must  not  omit  to  tell  why  'Miss  Sally'  is  so 
disliked  by  many  of  the  officials.  Like  all  women  of 
energy,  she  has  e^'es  whose  penetration  few  things  escape, 
and  a  sagacity  fearful  or  admirable,  as  the  case  may  be, 
to  all  interested.  If  any  abuse  is  pending,  or  in  pro- 
gress in  the  hospital,  she  is  quickly  on  the  track,  and  if 
not  abated,  off  'The  Great  Eastern'  sails  to  headquar- 
ters. A  few  daj's  ago,  one  of  the  officials  of  this  divi- 
sion sent  a  soldier  to  inform  her  that  she  must  vacate 
her  room  instantl3^  'Who  sent  j^ou  with  that  message 
to  me  ?'  she  asked  him,  turning  suddenly  around.     '  Dr. 

,'  the  soldier  answered.     'Fish!'    she  replied,   and 

swept  on  in  ineffable  contempt  to  the  bedside  perhaps  of 
some  sick  soldier. 

"  She  always  has  plenty  of  money  to  expend  in  her 
charitable  enterprises,  and  when  not  attending  in  the 
wards,  or  at  the  cooking  stove,  dresses  with  care  in  the 
neatest  black  silk.  Such  a  woman  merits  an  lionorable 
fame." 

A  lady,  writing  from  the  hospital  at  Culpeper  Court- 
house, sa^'s  :  "  I  have  lost  four  of  my  patients.  Three 
of  them  died  rejoicing  in  Jesus.  Thc}^  were  .intelligent, 
noble,  godly  young  men.  One  from  Virginia  said  to  me 
as  he  was  dying,  'Sing  me  a  hymn.'  I  repeated,  'Jesus, 
lover  of  my  soul.'  lie  remarked,  'Where  else  but  in 
Jesus  can  a  poor  sinner  ti'ust  ?'  Just  as  he  passed  away, 
he  looked  up  and  said,  'Heaven  is  so  sweet  to  me  ;'  and 
to  the  presence  of  Jesus  he  went. 

"Another  from  South  Carolina  seemed  very  hajDpy,  and 
sung  with  great  deligiit,  '  Happy  day,  when  Jesus  washed 


HELPS    TO    THE    REVIVAL.  61 

my  sins  awaj'.'  Young  B.,  of  Virginia,  was  resigned,  and 
even  rejoiced  at  the  near  prospect  of  death.  He  repeat- 
ed the  line,  '  How  firm  a  foundation,  ye  saints  of  the 
Lord.'     His  end  was  peace. 

"  One  of  these  young  men  had  determined  to  enter  the 
Christian  ministry." 

"While  many  engaged-  in  these  works  of  mercy  in  the 
hospitals,  others  toiled  at  home  as  earnestly  for  the  ben- 
efit of  the  soldiers,  who  were  supplied  with  socks  and 
gloves  almost  wholly  by  the  busy  fingers  of  their  sisters, 
wives  and  mothers.  And  when  these  welcome  contribu- 
tions arrived  in  camp,  what  blessings  were  invoked  on 
our  fair  benefactors  ! 

The  scene  described  by  Rev.  Mr.  Crumley,  as  he  dis- 
tributed among  the  soldiers,  after  one  of  the  Maryland 
campaigns,  the  supplies  sent  forward  by  the  Georgia  Re- 
lief Association,  one  of  the  noblest  institutions  of  the 
war,  is  truthful  and  touching : 

"After  leaving  Warrenton,  I  visited  the  wounded  in 
private  houses  ai'ound  the  battle-field,  where  I  very  nar- 
rowly escaped  being  taken  prisoner  by  the  Yankees.  Iii 
AYinchester  I  found  thousands  of  the  woundeel  from  Ma- 
ryland crowding  into  churches,  hotels,  private  houses, 
and  tents,  in  every  imaginable  state  of  suffering  and 
destitution.  Though  kind  words  and  prayers  are  good 
and  cheering  to  the  sutfering,  they  could  not  relieve  the 
terrible  destitution.  At  length  my  anxious  suspense  was 
relieved  by  the  coming  of  Mr.  Selkirk,  Dr.  Camak,  and 
Rev.  Mr.  Potter,  bringing  supplies  from  the  Georgia  Re- 
lief and  Hospital  Association,  which  were  in  advance  of 
anything  from  the  Government.  Their  coming  was  cloth- 
ing to  the  naked,  medicine  to  the  sick,  and  life  to  the 
dying. 

"Could  that  little  girl  have  been  with  us  as  we  dis- 
tributed the  gifts  of  the  Association,  and  have  seen  the 
pleasure  with  which  the  heroic  youth,  who  had  made  the 
Mar\  land   campaign  barefooted,  drew  on  his  rough  and 
3a 


G2  THE   OIIEAT    REVIVAL. 

bruised  feet  the  soft  socks  which  she  knit,  no  doubt  she 
would  knit  another  pair.  Could  that  young  lady  have 
seen  the  grateful  expression  upon  the  face  of  that  noble 
warrior,  as,  with  lips  parched  with  fever,  he  sipped  the 
wine,  or  tasted  the  pickles  her  hands  had  prepared,  whis- 
pering, '  God  bless  the  ladies  of  Georgia ;'  or  that  other, 
as  he  exchanged  his  soiled  and  blood-stained  garments 
for  those  sent  by  the  Association,  ejaculating,  'Yes,  we 
will  suffer  and  die,  if  need  be,  in  defence  of  such  noble 
women' — fresh  vigor  would  have  been  added  to  her  zeal 
in  providing  comforts  for  our  suffering  'braves.'  How 
much  more  comfortable  and  sweet  would  have  been  the 
slumber  of  that  mother  could  she  have  seen  her  'pa- 
triot boy,'  who  had  lain  upon  the  bare  ground,  warmly 
wrapped  in  the  coverlet  or  carpet  blanket  she  had  sent 
for  the  suffering  soldiers." 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the  wife  of  our  illustrious 
leader,  Robert  Edward  Lee,  though  a  cripple,  unable  to 
walk  by  reason  of  disease,  constantly  employed  her  time 
during  a  great  part  of  the  war  in  making  gloves  and  knit- 
ting socks  for  our  soldiers. 

Imagine  the  scene  when  they  were  distributed  among 
her  husband's  veterans. 

Our  women  never  grew  weary  in  well-doing.  How  often 
were  they  seen  passing  along  the  lines  as  the  troops 
waited  at  some  railroad  station,  superintending  the  ser- 
vants who  had  been  sent  by  them  loaded  with  good  things 
for  "our  dear  soldiers."  And  when  trains  filled  with  men 
paused  but  a  few  moments,  they  were  often  found  ready 
with  refreshments. 

The  following  scene  at  a  village  in  Georgia  was  re- 
peated daily  along  the  lines  of  railroad  throughout  the 
South : 

"At  Greensboro  there  were  no  '  little  fellows'  or  '  aun- 
ties' popping  into  the  cars  or  crying  at  the  windows  'wish 
to  buy  some  fruit,  etc. ;  but  there  were  ladies — old  and 
young — standing  in  the  hot  sun,  little  boys,  servants  and 


HELPS   TO    TIIE   IlEVIVAL.  63 

gentlemen — 3^oung  and  old,  many  of  them  with  baskets, 
pitchers,  etc.  You  would  think  that  this  was  a  regular 
vending  shop,  but  not  so  ;  the  cars  stop  ;  you  hear  some 
soft  voice  from  without,  saying,  '  Any  soldiers  aboard  ?' 
another  (bless  these  j'^oung  ladies),  'Any  sick  soldiers 
aboard  ?'  Some  one  answers  affirmatively,  probably  a 
soldier  with  his  head  out  at  some  window,  moved  by  the 
inquiry  for  soldiers.  'Will  you  have  some  milk,  some 
fruit,  some  bread,  some  meat  ?'  In  comes  a  servant  with 
a  pitcher  of  nice,  fresh  milk,  and  another  with  bread  and 
meats,  and  a  little  boy  with  fruit.  Thus  all  the  time  the 
cars  are  stopped  at  Greensboro  the  soldiers  are  helped 
bountifully.  Ever  and  anon  you  can  hear  one  of  them 
exclaim,  '  These  are  the  cleverest  people  I  have  met  with 
in  a  long  time.'  I  have  been  told  that  this  is  an  every 
day  business  with  the  good  citizens  of  Greensboro.  The 
writer  has  passed  there  four  times  recently,  and  found  it 
so  every  time.     These  people  feel  for  their  soldiers.'' 

There  is  something  in  the  following  scene  to  touch  the 
heart  and  moisten  the  eye  : 

"After  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg  we  passed  over  a  line 
of  railroad  in  Central  Georgia.  The  disabled  soldiers 
from  Gen.  Lee's  army  were  returning  to  their  homes. 
At  every  station  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  farmers 
came  on  the  cars  and  distributed  food  and  wines  and 
bandages  among  the  sick  and  wounded.  We  shall  never 
forget  how  very  like  an  angel  was  a  little  girl ;  how 
blushingly  and  modostly  she  went  to  a  great  rude  beard- 
ed soldier,  who  had  carved  a  crutch  from  a  rough  plank 
to  replace  a  lost  leg ;  how  this  little  girl  asked  him  if  he 
was  hungry,  and  how  he  ate  like  a  famished  wolf.  She 
asked  if  his  wound  was  painful,  and  in  a  voice  of  soft, 
mellow  accents,  '  Can  I  do  nothing  more  for  you  ?  I  am 
sorry  that  you  are  so  badl}"^  hurt ;  have  you  a  little  daugh- 
ter, and  won't  she  cry  when  she  sees  you  ?'  The  rude 
soldier's  heart  was  touched,  and  tears  of  love  and  grati- 
tude filled  his  e3^es.     He  only  answered,  '  I  have  three 


64  THE    GREAT    UKVIVAL. 

little  children.  God  grant  they  may  be  such  angels  as 
j'Oti.'  With  an  evident  effort  lie  repressed  a  desire  to  kiss 
the  fair  brow  of  the  pretty  little  girl.  He  took  her  little 
hand  between  both  his  own  and  bade  her  '  good-bye,  God 
bless  you.'  The  child  will  always  be  a  better  woman  be- 
cause of  these  lessons  of  practical  charity  stamped  inef- 
faceably  upon  her  j^oung  heart." 

There  was  a  moral  grandeur  in  the  following  scene 
that  might  well  stir  the  heart  of  a  true  soldier  to  its  ut- 
most depths : 

"As  we  were  on  our  wa^'  to  Manassas  on  the  19th  of 
July,  1861,"  said  an  officer  of  the  Virginia  troops,  "on 
a  crowded  train  of  flats,  the  people  along  the  route  of  the 
Manassas  Gap  railroad  turned  out  in  large  bodies,  bring- 
ing baskets  full  of  provisions  and  luxuries  for  the  sol- 
diers. Everybod}'^  was  full  of  joy,  and  we  rushed  on  to 
the  battle  with  railroad  speed,  amid  the  waving  of  hand- 
kerchiefs and  the  loud  huzzahs  of  a  loyal  people — little 
thinking  tliat  many  of  the  hearts  that  beat  high  for  praise 
would  '  soon  feel  that  pulse  no  more.'  Not  far  from  one 
of  the  depots,  which  we  had  just  left  in  great  glee,  on  an 
eminence  near  by  the  road,  there  stood  a  lady  of  more 
than  womanly  stature,  but  of  womanly  face,  with  hands 
uplifted  and  eyes  upturned  to  heaven  in  reverential 
pra3'^er  for  us  and  our  country.  And  there  she  stood 
with  outstretched  arms  until  the  train  carried  us  out  of 
sight.  I  thought  of  Miriam  the  prophetess — only  the 
hands  of  the  one  were  lifted  in  praise,  of  the  other  in 
prayer  to  God.  I  never  shall  forget  that  scene,  and  the 
deep  impression  it  made  upon  all.  The  shout  of  reck- 
less joy  was  turned  into  serious  thought,  and  blessed,  I 
believe,  was  the  influence  of  that  sight  on  many  a  brave 
lieart." 

The  women  o(  the  South  were  faithful  and  eminentl}' 
successful  co-laborers  in  the  army  revival. 

There  was  anotlier  instrumentality  worthy  of  our  no- 
tice.    This  was  the   influence  of  letters  from  home  on 


HELPS    TO    THE    ItEVlVAL.  65 

the  minds  of  the  soldiers.  In  camp  or  bivouac,  on  the 
march  or  in  battle,  the  thoughts  of  the  soldier  wandered 
back  to  his  home.  It  seemed  doubly  dear  to  him  when 
absent,  and  every  line  sent  by  the  loved  ones  there  was 
read  over  and  over,  often  with  tear-dimmed  eyes,  and 
th^n  carefully  put  away  as  a  precious  treasure.  These 
secret  and  powerful  appeals  turned  the  feet  of  many  a 
wanderer  into  the  way  of  life,  recalled  many  a  back- 
slider to  his  duty,  and  stimulated  many  a  wavering  be- 
liever to  endure  "  hardness  as  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus 
Christ." 

This  home  correspondence  was  as  successful  in  lead- 
ing thousands  to  the  Lamb  of  God  as  it  was  in  the  case 
of  the  noble  soldier  who  said  in  a  letter  to  his  honored 
Christian  mother  : 

"I  will  here  state  to  3'ou  what  I  nerer  have  written 

home  to  E ,  of  the  thoughts  that  have  most  affected 

my  mind,  and  I  hope  and  trust  in  God  that  the  same 
thoughts  and  reflections  have  changed  my  manner  of 

life.     E has  doubtless   shown  you  what  I  call  my 

farewell  letters  to  my  children,  as  well  as  the  one  to  her. 
The  letters  were  written  to  my  children  while  I  was  at 
Richmond,  Va.  The  advice  I  thought  and  still  think  was 
good,  but  alas,  where  does  that  advice  come  from.  It  is 
from  the  best  friend  my  children  have  upon  earth,  a 
father ;  yes,  a  father,  who  says  :  '  My  children,  read  your 
Bibles,  abstain  from  bad  company  and  bad  habits,  the 
lusts  of  the  flesh  and  vanities  of  a  wicked  world,'  but 
who  sa3's  at  the  same  time  by  his  oivn  conduct  and  exam- 
ple. Come  along  children — taking  them,  as  it  were,  by 
the  hand — I  will  lead  you  down  to  hell ;  yes,  I  was  lead- 
ing them  by  m}'  example  as  directly  to  hell  as  I  possibly 
could.  Oh,  the  horrible  thought  of  being  the  means  of 
damning  the  souls  of  my  children  !  Conviction  seized 
upon  me,  and  then  and  there,  on  the  — th  of  June,  I  re- 
solved, if  God  would  spare  my  life,  that  I  would  reform 
my  habits  of  life  ;  or  if  he  would  permit  me  to  return 


CG  TllK    GRICAT    UKVIVAL, 

home,  that  I  would  set  a  difTerent  example  before  my 
cliildren.  I  liave  prayed  that  he  would,  and  that  I  mi.i2;ht 
keep  my  resohition  to  the  day  of  my  death.  I  wrote 
3'^ou  a  letter  on  the  same  day,  while  m^'  ej'es  were  still 
wet  with  tears.  I  asked  your  pra^^ers  in  my  behalf;  I 
know  you  have  prayed  for  me.  Can  God  in  justice  for- 
give me?  1  pray  he  ma3%  I  know  my  children  will ;  may 
God  bless  them  and  help  them  to  do  so,  and  save  them 
from  following  my  bad  example,  at  the  same  time  to  take 
my  good  advice  and  carry  it  out,  that  the}'  may  be  saved 
from  that  awful  hell  to  which  I  was  leading  them." 

Letters  from  the  camp  were  regarded  as  precious  trea- 
sures by  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  the  brave  boys  who 
had  gone  to  the  war.  The  scene  so  graphically  described 
below  was  almost  daily  repeated  throughout  the  Con- 
federacy : 

"I  went  to  a  neighbor's  some  time  ago  to  buy  chickens 
and  meat,  for  I  am  a  new  comer  in  the  settlement,  and 
didn't  fill  my  smokehouse  at  the  right  time.  The  man 
was  making  a  split,  basket  before  the  door,  and  his  wife 
was  spinning,  as  nearl}"^  every  wife  in  the  country  is. 
They  were  old  people,  except  a  hireling  bo}',  alone  on 
their  farm.  Their  three  sons  went  to  war  last  spring. 
I  had  not  been  long  in  the  house  before  the  old  lady 
brought  out  the  last  letter  from  the  son  before  Richmond 
and  put  it  into  my  hand,  just  as  you  would  offer  the 
morning  paper  to  a  guest  at  j'our  office  or  house.  I  was 
at  anotlier  house  where  a  neighbor  called  in,  and  without 
preliminary  said  :  '  Fetch  that  letter  liere  you  got  from 
the  post-oflice  Thursda3\'  The  letter  was  brought  and 
read  to  us  all,  from  beginning  to  end.  Every  letter, 
after  being  opened  and  read  by  those  to  whom  it  is  ad- 
dressed, seems  to  be  common  property.  Though  roughl}' 
written  and  spelled,  some  of  them  are  vastly  entertain- 
ing and  informing,  and  there  are  touches  of  the  heart 
toward  the  close,  at  wliich  the  mother  or  wife  of  the 
writer,  who  listens  for  the  twentieth  time  to  the  reading 


HELPS    TO    TIIK    UKVIVAL.  67 

with  unabated  interest,  will  bring  the  comer  of  her  apron 
to  her  e^'es." 

The  influence  of  devout  Christian  olliccrs  was  power- 
ful for  good  in  our  armies.  We  had,  it  is  true,  many 
reckless,  unprincipled,  and  abandoned  men,  who  were 
leaders  in  sin.  But  there  were  others,  and  not  a  few, 
who  combined  an  humble  piety  with  the  most  exalted 
patriotism.  Many  of  these  brought  their  religion  with 
them  into  the  army,  and  many  others  were  the  happy 
subjects  of  the  great  revival.  General  Lee  attached  his 
men  to  him  not  less  by  his  goodness  of  heart  and  his 
deep-toned,  unobtrusive  piety,  than  by  his  skill  and  cour- 
age as  a  warrior — he  was  to  them  the  model  of  a  Chris- 
tian soldier.  Can  the  influence  of  General  Jackson  over 
his  men  ever  be  fully  estimated  ?  And  was  not  this  in 
a  great  measure  owing  to  the  depth  and  power  of  his 
religion  ?  Said  a  soldier  after  the  battle  of  Cross  Keys  : 
"  I  saw  something  to-day  which  affected  me  more  than 
anything  I  ever  saw  or  read  on  religion.  While  the 
battle  was  raging  and  the  bullets  were  fl.vjng.  Jackson 
rode  b}',  calm  as  if  he  were  at  home,  but  his  head  was 
raised  toward  heaven,  and  his  lips  were  moving  evidently 
in  prayer."  Meeting  a  chaplain  near  the  front  in  the 
heat  of  a  battle,  the  General  said  to  him,  "  The  rear  is 
your  place,  sir,  now,  and  prayer  your  business."  He 
said  to  a  Colonel  who  wanted  worship,  "  All  right.  Colo- 
nel, but  don't  forget  to  drill." 

An  incident  of  Jackson  is  related  by  one  of  his  staff. 

Entering  the  General's  room  at  midnight.  Major 

found  him  at  prayer.  After  half  an  hour  the  Major 
stepped  to  the  door  and  asked  of  the  Aid  if  he  did  not 
think  the  General  had  fallen  asleep  on  his  knees  from 
excessive  fatigue.  "  O  no,  you  know  the  General  is  an 
Old  Presbj'terian,  and  the}'  all  make  long  prayers."  The 
Major  returned,  and  after  waiting  an  hour  the  General 
rose  from  his  knees. 

A  writer  says  :  "  General  Jackson  never  enters  a  bat- 


68  THK    OUKAT    UKVIVAL. 

tie  without  invoking  God's  blessing  and  protection.  The 
dependence  of  this  strange  man  upon  the  Deity  seems 
never  to  be  absent  from  his  mind,  and  whatever  he  says 
or  does,  it  is  always  prefaced  'by  God's  blessing.'  'By 
God's  blessing  we  have  defeated  the  enemy,'  is  his 
laconic  and  pious  announcement  of  a  victory.  One  of 
his  officers  said  to  him,  '  Well,  General,  another  candi- 
date is  awaiting  your  attention.''  'So  I  observe,'  was 
the  quiet  reply,  'and  by  God's  blessing  he  shall  receive 
it  to  his  full  satisfaction.' 

"After  a  battle  has  been  fought  the  same  rigid  re- 
membrance of  divine  power  is  observed.  The  army  is 
drawn  up  in  line,  the  General  dismounts  his  horse,  and 
then,  in  tlie  presence  of  his  rough,  bronzed-faced  troops, 
with  heads  uncovered  and  bent  awe-stricken  to  the 
ground,  the  voice  of  the  good  man,  which  but  a  few  hours 
before  was  ringing  out  in  quick  and  fiery  intonations,  is 
now  heard  subdued  and  calm,  as  if  overcome  by  the 
presence  of  the  Supreme  'Being,  in  holy  appeal  to  the 
'  sapphire  throne.' 

"Few  such  spectacles  have  been  witnessed  in  modern 
times,  and  it  is  needless  to  add  that  few  such  examples 
have  ever  told  with  more  wondrous  power  upon  the  hearts 
of  men.  Is  it  surprising  that  Stonewall  Jackson  is  in- 
vincible, and  that  he  can  lead  his  army  to  certain  vic- 
tory, whenever  God's  blessing  precedes  the  act  ?*' 

All  the  armies  of  the  Confederacy  were  more  or  less 
blessed  with  pious  Generals,  who  strove  to  lead  their 
soldiers  to  the  cross  of  Christ.  General  Gordon,  writing 
from  the  Army  in  Virginia,  urged  the  ministers  of  the 
Churches  to  come  out  into  the  camps.  "  The  few  mis- 
sionaries we  have,"  he  saj'S,  "are  not  preaching,  it  is 
true,  in  raagiiificent  temples,  or  from  gorgeous  pulpits, 
on  Sabbath  days  to  empty  benches,  but  daily,  in  the 
great  temple  of  nature,  and  at  night  by  heaven's  chan- 
deliers, to  audiences  of  from  1,000  to  2,000  men  anxious 
to  hear  of  the  wav  of  life." 


HELPS    TO    THE    UKVIVAI..  69 

A  writer,  speakino;  of  the  religious  influence  in  the 
Army  of  Tennessee,  says :  "General  Cleburne,  the  hero 
of  many  battle-fields,  had  a  place  prepared  for  preaching 
in  the  centre  of  his  Division,  where  himself  and  most  of 
his  officers  were  present,  and  where  I  was  assisted  by 
General  Lowr}^  who  sat  in  the  pulpit  with  me  and  closed 
the  services  of  the  hour  with  prayer.  He  is  a  Baptist 
preacher,  and,  like  the  commander  of  the  Division,  is  a 
hero  of  man}-  well-fought  battle-fields.  He  takes  great 
interest  in  the  soldiers'  religious  welfare,  often  preaches 
to  them,  and  feels  that  the  ministry  is  still  his  high  and 
holy  calling." 

Generals  Findly,  Bidder,  Stewart,  with  others  of  the 
same  army,  were  pious  and  devoted  Christian  oflScers, 
and  gave  much  assistance  to  the  chaplains  and  mission- 
aries in  the  revival  that  swept  so  gloriously  through  the 
•  armies  in  the  "West.  They  recommended  religion  to 
their  soldiers  by  precept  and  example. 

But  these  men  were  Generals,  and  their  contact  with 
the  soldiers  was  not  so  close  as  that  of  inferior  officers. 
In  the  companies  and  regiments  the  work  of  pious  officers 
was  most  effectually  done.  We  select  a  few  out  of  the 
many  illustrative  incidents  that  crowd  upon  us  : 

"In  General  Lee's  army  there  was  a  captain  who  made 
a  profession  of  religion.  As  soon  as  he  found  peace,  he 
called  his  company  together  and  told  them  that  they  had 
alwa3'S  followed  whei-e  he  had  led  them,  that  he  wished 
to  know  whether  they  were  willing  to  follow  him  to  the 
feet  of  Jesus  and  walk  with  him  in  the  paths  of  right- 
eousness. All,  without  a  single  exception,  manifested  a 
desire  to  follow  the  example  of  their  leader."  . 

"There  was  another  companj^  whose  captain  was  a 
wicked  man.  He  exerted  a  bad  influence  over  his  men. 
He  was  openly  profane,  and  never  attended  religious 
services.  In  these  days  the  company  was  known  as  one 
of  the  most  wicked  in  the  regiment.  Months  rolled 
away,  and  another  man  was  appointed  to  the  command. 


70  THE    GUKAT    RKVIVAL. 

He  was  a  consistent  Christian,  and  a  man  of  earnest, 
deep-toned  piet3%  He  sought  to  carry  his  men  to  church, 
and  in  the  pra^-er-raeeting  strove  to  lead  them  to  tiie 
throne  of  grace.  He  showed  tliat  he  cared  for  their 
spiritual  as  well  as  their  physical  interests.  Now,  mark 
the  change.  In  that  compan}-,  once  noted  for  wicked- 
ness, prayer-meetings  were  held  every  night.  Among 
its  members  are  some  active,  eiiergetic  Christians,  and 
some  happy  converts  have  been  made  there.  How  re- 
sponsible the  position  of  an  officer  !" 

Thousands  of  such  men,  quiet,  unobtrusive,  devout, 
happ3^  Christians,  labored  with  a  success  in  winning  souls 
to  the  Saviour  which  eternity  alone  can  reveal.  Many 
of  them  sleep  in  their  lonely  graves  on  the  fields  where 
they  prayed  and  fought  and  fell ;  others  survive,  and, 
among  their  comrades  in  arras  and  their  brethren  in 
Christ,  are  still  fighting  for  the  victory  that  shall  give 
them  the  crown  of  life  and  an  abundant  entraoce  into 
the  heavenly  Jerusalem. 


HELPS   TO    THE   REVIVAL — COLPOUTAGiS.  71 


CHAPTER  V. 

HELPS  TO  THE  RE\aVAL — COLPORTAGE. 

So  IMPORTANT  was  the  work  of  Colportage  in  promoting 
religion  among  tlie  soldiers  that  we  feel  constrained  to 
devote  to  it  a  separate  chapter.  And  the  pious  laborers 
in  this  department  are  eminently  worthy  of  a  place  by 
the  side  of  the  most  devoted  chaplains  and  missionaries 
that  toiled  in  the  army  revival.  Receiving  but  a  pittance 
from  the  societies  that  employed  them,  subsisting  on  the 
coarse  and  scanty  fare  of  the  soldiers,  often  sleeping  on 
the  wet  ground,  following  the  march  of  the  armies  through 
cold  or  heat,  through  dust  or  mud,  everywhere  were  these 
devoted  men  to  be  seen  scattering  the  leaves  of  the  Tree 
of  Life.  Among  the  sick,  the  wounded,  and  the  dying, 
on  the  battle-fields  and  in  the  hosi)itals,  thej'  moved, 
consoling  them  with  tender  words,  and  pointing  their 
drooping  spirits  to  the  hopes  of  the  gospel.  The  record 
of  their  labors  is  the  record  of  the  army  revival ;  they 
fanned  its  flame  and  spread  it  on  ever}^  side  by  their 
prayers,  tlieir  conversations,  their  books,  and  their 
preaching.  They  went  out  from  all  the  Churches,  and 
labored  together  in  a  spirit  worthy  of  the  purest  days  of 
our  holy  religion.  The  aim  of  them  all  was  to  turn  the 
thoughts  of  the  soldiers  not  to  a  sect,  but  to  Christ,  to 
bring  them  into  the  great  spiritual  temple,  and  to  show 
them  the  wonders  of  salvation.  If  any  man  among  us 
can  look  back  with  pleasure  on  his  labors  in  the  army, 
it  is  the  Christian  colporteur 

The  number  of  religious  tracts  and  books  distributed 
by  the  colporteurs,  chaplains,  and  missionaries  in  the 
army,  we  can  never  know.  But  as  all  the  Churches  were 
engaged  in  the  work  of  printing  and  circulating,  it  is  not 


72  THE    GllEAT    REVIVAL. 

an  over-estimate  to  say  that  hundreds  of  millions  of 
pages  were  sent  out  b}"-  the  different  societies.  And, 
considering  the  facilities  for  printing  in  the  South  during 
the  war,  we  may  safel}'  assert  that  never  were  the  sol- 
diers of  a  Christian  nation  better  supplied  with  such 
reading  as  maketh  wise  unto  salvation ;  and  certainly, 
never  amidst  circumstances  so  unpropitious  to  human 
view,  did  fruits  so  ripe,  so  rich,  so  abundant,  spring  up 
so  quickly  from  the  labors  of  God's  servants. 

Earliest  in  the  important  work  of  colportage  was  the 
Baptist  Church,  one  of  the  most  powerful  denominations 
in  the  South.  In  May,  1861,  at  the  General  Association 
of  the  Baptist  churches  in  Virginia,  vigorous  measures 
were  adopted  for  supplying  the  religious  wants  of  the 
arm3\ 

The  Sunday  School  and  Publication  Board,  in  their 
report  on  colportage,  said  :  "  The  presence  of  large  armies 
in  our  State  atfords  a  fine  opportunity  for  colportage  effort 
among  the  soldiers.  These  are  exposed  to  peculiar 
temptations,  and  in  no  way  can  we  better  aid  them  in 
resisting  these  than  by  affording  them  good  books.  To 
this  department  of  our  operations  we  ask  the  special, 
earnest  attention  of  the  General  Association.  Shall  we 
enter  this  wide  and  inviting  field,  place  good  books  in 
the  hands  of  our  soldiers,  and  surround  tliem  by  pious 
influences?  or  shall  we  remain  indifferent  to  the  spiritual 
dangers  and  temptations  of  those  who  are  flocking  hither 
to  defend  all  we  hold  dear?" 

The  Association  cordiall}^  responded,  and  "recom- 
mended to  the  Board  to  appoint  at  once,  if  practicable, 
a  suflScient  number  of  colporteurs  to  occupy  all  the  im- 
portant points  of  rendezvous,  and  promptly  to  reach  all 
the  soldiers  in  service  in  the  State  ;  that  during  the  war 
as  many  colporteurs  as  could  be  profitably  employed, 
and  as  the  means  of  the  Board  would  admit,  be  kept  in 
service ;  that  special  contributions  to  colportage  should 
be  raised  from  the  Baptist  churches,  from  the  community. 


HELPS    TO    THE    liEVlVAL COLPOKTAGE.  73 

and  even  from  such  persons  in  other  of  the  Confederate 
States  as  may  feel  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  sol- 
diers who  are  gathered  from  various  Southern  States  to 
fight  their  common  battles  on  the  soil  of  Virginia ;  that 
steps  should  be  taken  to  secure  the  issue  of  a  tract  or 
tracts  specially  adapted  to  general  circulation  among 
the  soldiers." 

The  work  was  put  in  charge  of  Rev.  A.  E.  Dickinson, 
who  had  already  acquired  a  valuable  experience  and  a 
high  reputation  as  the  Superintendent  of  Colportage  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  General  Association.  He  sent 
forth  his  well  trained  band  of  colporteurs  into  this  new 
field,  which  they  cultivated  with  the  happiest  results,  and 
with  a  zeal  and  self-denial  worth}'  of  the  cause  of  Christ. 

One  3'^ear  after  these  labors  were  commenced,  Mr. 
Dickinson  said  in  his  annual  report : 

"  We  have  collected  fi24:,000,  with  which  40  tracts  hare 
been  published,  6,187,000  pages  of  which  have  been  dis- 
tributed, besides  6,095  Testaments,  13,845  copies  of  the 
little  volume  called  Camp  Hymns,  and  a  large  number 
of  religious  books.  Our  policy  has  been  to  seek  the  co- 
operation of  chaplains  and  other  pious  men  in  the  army, 
and,  as  far  as  possible,  to  work  through  them.  How 
pleasant  to  think  of  the  thousands  who,  far  from  their 
loved  ones,  are,  every  hour  in  the  day,  in  the  loneliness 
and  gloom  of  the  hospital,  and  in  the  bustle  and  mirth 
of  the  camp,  reading  some  of  these  millions  of  pages 
which  have  been  distributed,  and  thus  been  led  to  turn 
unto  the  Lord." 

In  his  report  for  1863,  in  the  midst  of  the  war,  he  says  : 
"  Modern  history  presents  no  example  of  armies  so  nearly 
converted  into  Churches  as  the  armies  of  Southern  de- 
fence. On  the  crest  of  this  flood  of  war,  which  threatens 
to  engulf  our  freedom,  rides  a  pure  Christianity ;  the 
gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  shines  through  the  smoke  of 
battle  with  the  light  that  leads  to  heaven ;  and  the  camp 
becomes  a  school  of  Christ.     From  the  vciy  first  day  of 


74  TIIK    GKEAT    REVIVAL. 

the  unhapp3^  contest  to  the  present  time,  religious  influ- 
ences have  been  spreading  among  the  soldiers,  until  now, 
in  camp  and  hospital,  throughout  every  portion  of  the 
army,  revivals  display  their  precious,  saving  power.  In 
one  of  these  revivals  over  three  hundred  are  known  as 
having  professed  conversion,  while,  doubtless,  there  are 
hundereds  of  others  equally  blessed,  whose  names,  un- 
recorded here,  find  a  place  in  the  'Lamb's  book  of  life.' " 

And  in  1865,  in  reviewing  the  blessed  work  of  saving 
souls  amid  the  bloody  scenes  of  four  gloomy  years,  the 
Board  said  : 

•'  Millions  of  pages  of  tracts  have  been  put  in  circula- 
tion, and  thousands  of  sermons  delivered  by  the  sixty 
missionaries  whom  we  have  sent  to  our  brave  armies. 
If  it  could  be  known  by  us  here  and  now  how  many  souls 
have  been  saved  by  this  agency,  doubtless  the  announce- 
ment would  fill  us  with  surprise  and  rejoicing.  Hundreds 
and  thousands,  we  verily  believe,  have  in  this  way  ob- 
tained the  Christian's  hope,  and  are  now  occupying  some 
place  in  the  great  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  or  have  gone 
up  from  the  strife  and  sorrow  of  earth  to  the  peaceful 
enjoyments  of  the  heavenly  home." 

The  Evangelical  Tract  Society,  organized  in  the  city 
of  Petersburg,  Va.,  in  July,  1861,  by  Christians  of  the 
ditferent  denominations,  was  a  most  efficient  auxiliary 
in  the  great  work  of  saving  souls.  It  was  ably  officered, 
and  worked  with  great  success  in  the  publication  and 
circulation  of  some  of  the  best  tract  reading  that  ap- 
peared during  the  war.  More  than  a  hundred  different 
tracts  were  issued ;  and  in  less  than  one  year  after  the 
organization  of  the  Society,  it  had  sent  among  the  sol- 
diers more  than  a  million  pages  of  these  little  messen- 
gers of  truth.  The  Army  and  Navy  Messenger,  a  most 
excellent  religious  paper,  was  also  published  by  this 
Societ3%  and  circulated  widely  and  with  the  best  results 
among  the  soldiers.  Holding  a  position  similar  to  that 
of  the  American  Tract  Societv,  this  association  was  libe- 


HELPS    TO    THK    UEVIVAL — COLrOUTAGE.  <5 

rally  sustained  by  all  denominations,  and  had  ample 
means  for  supplying  the  armies  with  every  form  of  re- 
ligious reading,  from  the  Holy  Scriptures  to  the  smallest 
one-page  tract.  Its  officers,  editors,  agents,  and  col- 
porteurs, were  among  the  most  faithful,  zealous  and  suc- 
cessful laborers  in  all  departments  of  the  army.  During 
the  period  of  its  operations,  it  has  been  estimated  that 
.'J0,000,000  pages  of  tracts  were  put  in  circulation  by  it. 

The  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication,  under  the 
direction,  of  Rev.  Dr.  Leyburn  and  other  ministers  of 
that  Church,  entered  the  field  and  did  faithful  service  in 
the  good  cause.  The  regular  journals  of  that  denomi- 
nation, a  monthly  paper — "Tlie  Soldier's  Visitor,"  spe- 
cially adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  army.  Bibles,  Testa- 
ments, and  most  excellent  tracts  in  vast  numbers,  were 
freely  sent  forth  to  all  the  camps  and  hospitals  from  their 
centre  of  operations. 

The  Virginia  Episcopal  Mission  Committee  heartily 
united  in  the  work,  and  spent  thousands  of  dollars  per 
annum  in  sending  missionaries  to  the  army,  and  in  print- 
ing and  circulating  tracts.  Rev.  Messrs.  Gatewood  and 
Kepler,  of  the  Protestant  EpiscojDal  Church,  were  the 
zealous  directors  of  operations  in  Virginia,  while  in  other 
States  such  men  as  Bishop  Elliott,  of  Georgia,  Doctor, 
now  Bishop,  Quiutard,  of  Tennessee,  and  the  lamented 
General  Polk,  gave  the  weight  of  their  influence  and  the 
power  of  their  eloquence,  written  and  oral,  to  promote 
the  cause  of  religion  among  our  soldiers. 

At  Raleigh,  N.  C,  early  in  the  war.  Rev.  W.  J.  W. 
Crowder  commenced  the  publication  of  tracts,  encour- 
aged and  assisted  by  contributions  from  all  classes  of 
persons.  In  less  than  a  year  he  reported :  "  "We  have 
published,  of  thirty  different  tracts,  over  5,000,000  pages, 
more  than  half  of  which  we  have  given  awaj^  and  the 
other  half  we  have  sold  at  about  the  cost  of  publication — 
1,500  pages  for  one  dollar."  This  gentleman  continued 
his  labors  in  this  good  work  throughout  the  war,  and 


76  TILK    GREAT    KKVIVAL. 

furnished  millions  of  pages  of  the  best  tracts  for  army 
circulation. 

"The  Soldiers'  Tract  Association,"  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  was  organized  and  went  into 
operation  in  March,  1862,  and  became  a  valuable  auxili- 
ary in  the  work  of  colportage  and  tract  distribution.  By 
nudsummer  it  had  put  in  circulation  nearly  800,000  pages 
of  tracts,  and  had  ten  efficient  colporteurs  in  the  field. 
Its  operations  steadily  increased  to  the  close  of  the  war  ; 
and  besides  the  dissemination  of  millions  of  pages  of 
excellent  religious  reading,  with  thousands  of  Bibles  and 
Testaments,  two  semi-monthly  papers  were  issued,  "  The 
Soldiers'  Paper,"  at  Richmond,  Va..  and  "The  Army  and 
Navy  Herald,"  at  Macon,  Ga.,  40,000  copies  of  which 
were  circulated  every  month  throughout  the  armies. 

In  addition  to  these,  there  were  other  associations  of 
a  like  character  successfully  at  work  in  this  wide  and 
inviting  field. 

The  Georgia  Bible  and  Colportage  Society,  Rev.  F.  M. 
Haygood,  Agent,  was  actively  engaged  in  the  work  of 
printing  and  circulating  tracts  in  the  armies  of  the  South- 
west. 

The  South  Carolina  Tract  Society  was  an  earnest  ally 
in  the  holy  cause,  and  sent  out  its  share  of  tracts  to 
swell  the  vast  number  scattered  like  leaves  of  the  tree 
of  life  all  over  the  land. 

The  presses  in  every  great  commercial  centre  were 
busy  in  throwing  off  religious  reading  of  every  descrip- 
tion, and  yet  so  great  was  the  demand  that  the  supply 
was  unequal  to  it  during  the  whole  of  the  war.  At 
Richmond,  Raleigh,  Columbia,  Charleston,  Augusta,  Mo- 
bile, Macon,  Atlanta,  and  other  cities,  good  men  labored 
day  and  night  to  give  our  gallant  soldiers  the  bread  of 
life ;  and  still  the  cry  from  the  army  was.  Send  us  more 
good  books.  At  one  period  of  the  war  the  Baptist  Board 
alone  circulated  200,000  pages  of  tracts  weekly,  besides 
Testaments  and  hymn-books;  and  with  the  joint  labors 


HKLl'S   TO    THE    RE^aVAL — COLrORTAGE,  /  / 

of  other  societies,  we  maj'^  estimate  that  when  the  work 
was  at  its  lieight  not  less  than  1,000,000  pages  a  week 
were  put  into  the  hands  of  our  soldiers. 

Our  readers  will  be  pleased,  we  doubt  not,  to  learn 
from  the  colporteurs  themselves  what  they  saw  of  the 
work  of  the  Lord. 

Rev.  Dr.  Ryland,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  writing  of 
his  labors  in  Richmond,  says  :  "  Many  cases  of  deep  and 
thrilling  interest  have  come  under  my  observation.  Some 
were  fervent  disciples  of  Jesus,  who,  during  the  war, 
having  maintained  their  integrity,  gave  me  a  cordial  wel- 
come to  their  bedside.  Others  were  .rejoicing  in  recent 
hope  of  eternal  life  ;  and  many  others  exhibited  marked 
anxiety  about  their  salvation.  Since  the  battle  of  Seven 
Pines,  I  have  conversed  with  probably  five  hundred  who, 
having  passed  through  the  recent  bloody  scenes,  have 
told  me  with  different  degrees  of  emphasis  that  they  had 
resolved  to  lead  a  better  life.  All  these  battles  [the 
seven  daj-^s'  fighting  around  Richmond],  with  their  hair- 
breadth escapes  and  their  terrible  sufferings,  have  pro- 
duced a  softened  state  of  mind,  which  harmonizes  well 
with  our  efforts  to  evangelize.  I  have  almost  from  the 
beginning  of  the  war  been  laboring  as  a  colporteur  in 
the  hospitals  of  Richmond ;  and  my  impression  is,  that 
the  results  of  this  work  are  infinitely  greater  and  more 
glorious  than  many  believe." 

Rev.  W.  M.  Young  gave  a  like  testimony:  "I  have 
seen  scores  of  instances  in  which  the  reading  of  tracts 
had  been  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  souls.  Yes- 
terday, going  up  Main  street,  I  was  hailed  by  a  soldier 
sitting  on  the  pavement,  'Parson,  don't  you  know  me? 
Under  God  I  owe  everything  to  you.  While  languishing 
in  the  hospital  you  gave  me  a  tract,  '  Christ  found  at  the 
lamp  post,'  which  has  brought  joy  and  peace  to  my  soul. 
If  God  spare  me  to  go  home,  I  expect  to  devote  my  life 
to  the  public  proclamation  of  the  gospel.' " 

Rev.  Joseph  H.  Martin  wrote  from  Knoxville  :  "  While 


78  niE    GHKAT    UEV'IVAL. 

1  was  opening  a  box  of  tracts  a  soldier  said,  '  Some  of 
those  tracts  were  given  to  our  regiment  at  Cliattanooga, 
and  never  before  in  my  life  have  I  seen  snch  an  effect 
on  men.  Many  have  given  up  swearing,  and  I  among 
the  number,  through  the  influence  of  these  silent  but 
powerful  preachers.' " 

Rev.  M.  D.  Anderson  says :  "  I  met  a  3'oung  man 
wounded,  and  began  to  talk  with  him  on  religion.  lie 
said,  '  O  sir,  don't  3'ou  remember  that  at  the  camp-meet- 
ing at  you  spoke  to  me  on  the  subject?     Do  get 

down  and  pray  for  me.'  He  has  since  been  converted, 
and  is  an  active  co-laborer  with  me.  An  old  marine  who 
had  weathered  many  a  storm,  and  was  lying  sick  in  the 
hospital,  seemed  astonished  that  I  should  urge  upon  his 
attention  the  claims  of  the  gospel.  '  How  is  it  that  you, 
a  young  man,  should  be  so  concerned  about  me,  a  poor 
old  sailor?'  He  said  tliat  rarely,  if  ever  before  in  his 
life,  had  any  one  spoken  to  him  about  his  soul.  His  in- 
terest in  divine  things  increased  until,  I  think,  he  be- 
came a  true  Christian.     He  died  a  most  happy  death." 

Rev.  B.  B.  Ross,  of  Alabama,  writing  to  Rev.  A.  E. 
Dickinson,  says  :  "  I  am  just  from  a  pleasant  tour  among 
the  hospitals  in  Mississippi,  where  I  found  3,000  sick. 
They  are  greedy,  yea  ravenous,  in  their  appetite  for 
something  to  read.  Under  the  labors  of  your  colporteurs 
there  has  been  a  revival  of  religion  at  Quitman,  and 
there  is  also  a  revival  in  progress  at  Lauderdale  Si^rings. 
The  surgeons  have  been  especially  kind  to  me — at  times 
calling  my  attention  to  certain  cases  of  the  sick,  at 
others  making  appointments  for  me  to  preach." 

Rev.  S.  A.  Creath,  Army  of  Tennessee  :  "  I  am  still 
following  up  the  army,  trying  to  be  of  service  to  them. 
At  Atlanta  I  saw  3,000  sick  men.  Started  to  work  this 
morning  before  sun  up,  and  by  9  A.  M.  had  distributed 
20,000  pages  of  tracts.  Several  have  professed  religion, 
and  the  Lord's  blessing  seems  to  be  on  us." 

"  I  have  been  a  month,"  wrote  a  colporteur  from  Rich- 


HELPS   TO    TIIE   Ri:\  IVAL — COLPOItTAGE.  79 

mond,  "laboring  in  this  city,  during  which  time  I  have 
distributed  41,000  pages  of  tracts.  I  preach  almost 
daily  in  the  hospitals ;  and  a  notice  of  a  few  minutes 
will  give  me  a  large  congregation.  Never  in  my  life 
have  I  witnessed  such  solemn  attention  to  the  preached 
word.  Oftentimes  I  meet  with  soldiers  wlio  tell  me  that 
they  have  become  Christians  since  thej^  entered  the  array, 
and  not  unfrequentlj^  I  am  asked  by  anxious  inquirers, 
what  they  must  do  to  be  saved.  'O,  how  encouraging  to 
a  soldier  is  a  word  of  sympathy,'  said  one  of  the  sick 
men  to  me." 

Another  from  Petersburg  writes  :  "  I  have  been  for 
some  weeks  devoting  my  time  to  the  hospitals  in  this 
city.  The  noble  men  are  so  fond  of  having  one  to  talk 
with  them  about  the  Friend  of  sinners,  and  the  heavenly 
home,  that  my  heart  is  made  to  rejoice  with  theirs.  The 
other  day  I  was  reading  a  few  tracts  to  a  sick  soldier, 
and  while  reading  one  on  '  The  Blood  of  Christ.'  he  be- 
came so  happy  that  he  shouted.  '  Glory  to  God  !'  An- 
other said,  '  When  I  first  came  into  the  hospital  I  was 
sad  and  dissatisfied,  but  since  I  have  been  here  I  have 
learned  of  Jesus,  and  thank  God  even  for  tribulations.' " 

A  colporteur  from  the  army  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  writes  : 
"  I  have  distributed  70,000  pages  of  tracts  here,  and  feel 
much  encouraged.  The  officers  grant  me  free  access  to 
the  camps,  and  commend  m}'  work.  Oftentimes  have  I 
seen  the  men  throw  aside  tlieir  cards  to  take  up  the 
tracts  I  would  place  on  their  table,  saying  that  they 
played  only  because  tliC}'  had  nothing  to  read.  There 
are  many  pious  men  here,  and  the}'  warmlv  co-operate 
with  me." 

From  Savannah,  Ga. :  "  The  Testaments  and  tracts 
have  effected  good — some  have  made  a  public  profession 
of  religion,  whilst  others  are  deeply  interested  in  divine 
things.     AYe  need  more  tracts  and  more  Bibles." 

Rev.  J.  A.  Hughes  thus  speaks  of  his  labors  at  At- 
lanta :   "  In  going  among  the  thousands  in  the  lios[)itals. 


80  THE    GUEAT    UKVIVAL. 

I  have  met  with  many  things  to  gladden  my  heart,  and 
to  cause  me  to  love  the  work.  I  And  a  number  of  Chris- 
tians ;  some  tell  me  that  camp-life  has  had  a  very  unfa- 
vorable influence  on  their  religious  character  ;  others  say 
it  has  been  of  great  service  to  them,  that  it  has  bound 
them  closer  to  the  Saviour,  made  them  more  acquainted 
with  their  own  weakness  and  sins,  and  afforded  them  a 
fine  field  in  which  to  labor  for  the  souls  of  their  fellow- 
men.  Some  few  hesitate  to  take  a  Testament,  though 
they  will  accept  a  tract.  One  man  positively  refused  a 
Testament  but  took  the  tract,  'A  Mother's  Parting  Words 
to  her  Soldier  Boy,'  by  the  reading  of  which  he  was  deeply 
moved  and  became  a  true  penitent,  asked  me  to  pray  for 
him,  and  finally  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith.  To  a 
young  man  who  felt  himself  a  sinner  I  gave  '  Motives  to 
.Early  Piety.'  He  was  led  to  Christ,  whom  he  publicly 
confessed.  A  soldier  said  to  me  on  the  street,  '  You  are 
the  gentleman  who  gave  me  a  tract  the  other  day.  I  had 
read  it  before,  at  home,  but  never  has  the  reading  of 
that  book  so  affected  me  as  of  late  ;  away  from  home 
and  friends,  it  is  doublj'^  sweet.'  Three  have  professed 
conversion  from  reading,  'Why  will  ye  die?'  several 
from  reading  '  A  Mother's  Parting  Words.'  A  soldier 
told  me  'The  Call  to  Prayer'  had  roused  him  to  a  sense 
of  his  duty  as  a  professor  of  religion." 

Rev.  Joseph  E.  Martin,  from  Chimborazo  hospital  at 
Richmond,  writes  :  "  We  have  had  lately  sixteen  conver- 
sions. One  young  man  was  very  anxious  to  learn  to 
read.  I  i:)rocured  him  a  spelling-book,  and  in  a  few  days 
he  learned  so  rapidly  as  to  be  able  to  read  the  Testa- 
ment. He  has  since  professed  religion.  A  middle-aged 
man  from  Georgia  has  learned  to  read  since  he  joined 
the  army,  and  has  committed  to  memory  almost  all  the 
Xew  Testament  with  the  book  of  Job." 

Another  faithful  laborer  says  :  •'  A  young  man  said  to 
me,  ' Parson,  you  gave  me  a  book,  (Baxters  Call,)  which 
I  have  been  reading,  and  it  has  made  me  feel  very  un- 


HELPS    TO    TIIK    KEVIVAL — COLPOUTAGE.  81 

happy.  I  feel  that  my  condition  is  awful,  and  I  desire 
to  find  peace.'  I  pointed  him  to  the  Lord  Jesus.  While 
passing  through  a  hospital  with  my  tracts  one  poor,  af- 
flicted soldier  wept  piteously  and  said,  '  Sir,  I  cannot 
read ;  will  you  be  good  enough  to  read  some  of  those 
tracts  to  me  ?'  I  read  several,  and  among  them,  '  A 
Mother's  Parting  Words  to  her  Soldier  Boy.'  '  Oh,'  said 
he,  '  that  reminds  me  so  much  of  my  poor  old  mother, 
who  has  faded  from  earth  since  I  joined  the  army.'  He 
wept  and  seemed  greatly  affected." 

Rev.  George  Pearcy,  writing  from  Lynchburg,  Va., 
says  :  "I  collected  from  Sunday  Schools  and  individuals 
above  a  hundred  Testaments,  a  few  Bibles,  and  some 
books  and  tracts — these  were  placed  in  three  large  hos- 
pitals for  the  sick  soldiers.  There  have  been  as  many 
as  10,000  soldiers  in  the  encampment  here,  hence  it  is  a 
most  interesting  field  for  usefulness.  Many  soldiers 
have  the  Bible  or  Testament,  and  love  to  read  it.  A 
good  number  are  members  of  Churches.  Far  away  from 
home  and  Idndred,  they  are  delighted  to  receive  tlio 
visits  of  a  brother  Christian,  and  get  something  to  read. 
All  receive  the  tracts,  and  read  them  with  delight.  The 
Lord  has  blessed  the  work.  He  has  poured  out  his 
Spirit  upon  many.  Several  have  died  in  the  triumphs  of 
faith.  It  was  a  great  pleasure  and  privilege  to  speak  to 
them  of  the  Saviour,  and  witness  their  trust  in  him  dur- 
ing the  trying  hour.  One  who  died  a  week  ago,  said,  in  a 
whisper,  a  short  time  before  he  breathed  his  last,  when 
the  nurse  held  up  the  tract,  '  Come  to  Jesus,'  '  I  can't 
see.'  He  was  told  it  was  the  tract,  '  Come  to  Jesus,'  and 
that  Jesus  says,  '  Him  that  cometh  unto  me  I  will  in  no 
wise  cast  out.'  '  Thank  the  Lord  for  that,'  he  replied. 
'Have  you  come  to  him  ?  and  do  you  find  him  precious?' 
'  Precious,  thank  the  Lord.'  '  He  has  promised  never  to 
leave  nor  forsake  his  people.'  'Thank  the  Lord  for 
that ;'  and  so  he  would  say  of  all  the  promises  quoted. 
One  young  man.  to  whom  I  gave  a  tract,  told  me  that  at 


82  THE    GREAT   RE^^VAL. 

home  he  was  a  steady,  sober  man,  never  swore ;  hut  that 
becoming  a  soldier,  he  did  as  many  others  did — threw  otf 
restraint,  and  did  wickedly  ;  '  But  now,'  said  he,  '  I  have 
don*'  Svvearing,  and  will  seek  the  salvation  of  my  soul.' " 

"  When  I  joined  the  army,"  said  a  soldier  to  a  colpor- 
teur, "  I  was  a  member  of  the  Church,  and  enjoyed  re- 
ligion, but  since  I  came  into  camp  I  have  been  without 
anything  of  a  religious  character  to  read,  and  assailed 
on  every  side  by  such  temptations  as  have  caused  me  to 
dishonor  my  religious  profession.  O,  sir,  if  you  had 
been  with  me,  and  extended  such  aid  as  you  now  be- 
stow, I  might  have  been  kept  from  all  the  sin  and  sorrow 
which,  as  a  poor  backslider,  I  have  known." 

One  who  had  visited  the  hospitals  at  Richmond  wrote  : 
"  The  field  of  labor  opened  here  for  the  accomplishment 
of  good  is  beyond  measure.  An  angel  might  covet  it. 
At  three  o'clock  services  were  held  in  the  main  hall  of 
the  hospital.  It  was  a  most  imposing  spectacle  to  see 
men  in  all  stages  of  sickness — some  sitting  upon  their 
beds,  while  others  were  lying  down  listening  to  the  word 
of  God — many  of  them  probably  for  the  last  time.  I 
do  not  think  I  ever  saw  a  more  attentive  audience. 
They  seemed  to  drink  in  the  Word  of  Life  at  every 
breath." 

"  Some  time  since,"  says  Rev.  A.  E,  Dickinson,  "  it 
was  my  pleasure  to  stand  up  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
company  of  convalescent  soldiers  in  one  of  our  hospitals 
to  proclaim  salvation.  During  the  reading  of  a  portion 
of  Scripture  tears  began  to  flow.  I  then  announced  that 
dear  old  hymn, — 

". '  There  is  a  fountani  filled  with  blood, 
Drawn  from  Immanuel's  veins,'  &c., 

the  reading  of  which  seemed  to  melt  every  heart,  and 
the  entire  audience  was  in  tears  before  God.  Every 
word  in  reference  to  spiritual  truth  fell  with  a  soft,  sub- 
duing fervor  on  their  chastened  hearts." 


HELPS   TO    TIIE   KEVIVAL — COLPORTAGE.  83 

Lately  a  colpoteur  at  Lauderdale  Springs,  Miss.,  was 
distributing  tracts,  and  a  captain  approaclied  him  and 
asked  for  one.  "  Select  for  yourself,  cai>tain,"  said  be. 
Tlie  captain  looked  over  them,  and  selected  "Don't 
Swear,"  and  began  to  read  it  aloud  to  the  soldiers  stand- 
ing around,  pausing  occasionally  to  comment  on  the 
points  made  in  the  tract.  When  he  had  finished,  he  ex- 
claimed, "  I  am  done  swearing.  Take  this,"  handing  the 
colporteur  a  ten-dollar  bill,  "  and  send  it  to  aid  in  bring- 
ing out  another  edition  of  this  tract." 

The  soldiers  themselves  were  often  the  most  success- 
ful tract  distributers.  A  private  in  a  Virginia  regiment, 
all  the  time  that  his  command  was  near  Richmond,  sold 
the  daily  papers  to  his  comrades,  and  with  the  profits 
bought  tracts  which  he  circulated  among  them.  It  was 
truly  a  noble  sight  to  see  this  pious  young  man,  after  a 
long  walk  to  the  cit}^  and  after  having  sold  his  papers, 
worn  down  with  fatigue,  coming  with  the  proceeds  to 
purchase  religious  reading  for  his  fellow-soldiers. 

"When  I  entered  the  army,"  said  a  soldier,  "I  was 
the  chief  of  sinners.  I  did  not  love  God,  nor  ray  soul, 
but  pursued  the  ways  of  unrighteousness  with  ardor, 
without  ever  counting  the  cost.  I  studiously  shunned 
preaching  and  our  faithful  chaplain,  lest  he  should  re- 
prove me ;  and  when  he  was  preaching  in  the  camp  I 
would  be  in  my  tent  gambling  with  my  wicked  compan- 
ions. One  day  he  presented  a  tract  entitled,  '  The 
Wrath  to  Come,'  and  so  politely  requested  me  to  read  it 
that  I  promised  him  I  would,  and  immediately  went  to 
my  tent  to  give  it  a  hasty  perusal.  I  had  not  finished  it 
until  I  felt  that  I  was  exposed  to  that  wrath,  and  that  I 
deserved  to  be  damned.  It  showed  me  so  plainly  where 
and  what  I  was,  that  I  should  have  felt  lost  and  without 
a  remedy  had  it  not  pointed  me  to  that  glorious  Refuge 
which  has  indeed  been  a  refuge  to  me  from  the  storm, 
for  I  now  feel  that  I  can  trust  in  Christ." 

The  history  of  this  little  tract  is  the  history  of  thou- 


84  THE    GUEAT    UKVIVAX.. 

sands  of  like  character  that  preached  silently  but  power- 
fiill}^  and  successfuyy,  in  camp  and  hospital,  in  tent  and 
l)ivouac.  The  following  incident  is  a  simple,  truthful, 
and  touching  illustration  of  the  good  that  may  arise  from 
the  humble  work  of  a  tract  distributer : 

"  Richard  Knill  did  not  become  a  subject  of  the  grace 
of  God  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age.  A  ser- 
mon preached  by  his  pastor,  in  which  various  extracts 
were  given  from  '  Buchanan's  Christian  Researches  in 
the  East,'  had  a  powerful  effect  on  the  heart  of  Knill, 
and  he  resolved  to  prepare  himself  for  the  work  of  a  mis- 
sionary. 

"  While  he  was  considering  the  question  of  future  duty, 
opportunities  for  usefulness,  presenting  themselves  in  va- 
rious directions,  he  was  not  backward  in  improving  them. 
On  one  occasion  he  heard  that  a  military  company  of  a 
thousand  men  were  about  to  be  disbanded  and  sent  to 
their  homes.  lie  resolved  to  distribute  among  them  the 
choicest  religious  tracts,  with  the  hope  that  they  would 
benefit  not  only  the  soldiers  themselves,  but  the  families 
and  the  homes  to  which  they  were  about  to  return.  '  I 
proceeded,'  he  tells  us,  'to  the  grenadiers,  who  were 
all  pleased,  until  I  came  to  one  merrj'-andrew  kind  of  a 
fellow.  He  took  the  tract  and  held  it  up,  swore  at  it, 
and  asked,  '  Are  j'ou  going  to  convert  me  T ' 

"I  said,  'Don't  swear  at  the  tract;  you  cannot  hurt 
the  tract,  but  swearing  will  injure  your  soul.' 

"  '  Who  are  you  ?'  he  exclaimed.  '  Form  a  circle  round 
him,'  said  he  to  his  comrades,  '  and  I  will  swear  at  him.' 

"  They  did  so ;  he  swore  fearfully,  and  I  wept.  The 
tears  moved  the  feelings  of  the  other  men,  and  they 
said,  '  Let  him  go ;  he  means  to  do  us  good.' 

"  So  I  distributed  my  thousand  tracts,  ana  left  them 
in  the  care  of  Him  who  said,  '  My  word  shall  not  return 
unto  me  void.' 

"  Many  3'ears  after  I  had  taken  leave  of  these  soldiers, 
I  returned  from  India  to  my  native  country  and  visited 


HELPS   TO   THE   RE\aVAL — COLPOKTAGE.  8r> 

Ilfracombe.  There  I  was  invited  to  preach  in  the  open 
air,  a  few  miles  distant.  Preparations  were  made  for 
my  visit,  and  diu'ing  the  time  that  I  was  preaching,  I 
saw  a  tall,  gray-headed  man  in  the  crowd,  weeping,  and 
a  tall  young  man,  who  looked  like  his  son,  standing  by 
his  side,  and  weeping  also.  At  the  conclusion  of  the 
service  they  both  came  up  to  me,  and  the  father  said : 

" '  Do  you  recollect  giving  tracts  to  the  local  militia  at 
Barnstable,  some  years  ago  ?' 

" '  Yes.' 

"  '  Do  you  recollect  an^^thing  particular  of  that  distri- 
bution ?' 

" '  Yes,  I  recollect  one  of  the  grenadiers  swore  at  me 
till  he  made  me  weep.' 

" '  Stop,'  said  he,  '  Oh,  sir,  I  am  the  man  !  I  never  for- 
gave myself  for  that  wicked  act.  But  I  hope  it  has  led 
me  to  repentance,  and  that  God  has  furgiven  me.  And 
now,  let  me  ask,  will  you  forgive  me  ?' 

"  It  quite  overcame  me  for  the  moment,  and  we  parted 
with  a  prayer  that  we  might  meet  in  heaven.  Is  not  this 
encouragement  ?  May  we  not  well  say,  one  tract  may 
save  a  soul." 


4a 


8G  THE    GIIEAT    KEVIV^VL. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

FIRST    FRUITS. 
SUMMER  AND  AUTUMN  OF  1861. 

TiiE  Southern  people  entered  upon  the  dreadful  or- 
deal of  war  with  extreme  reluctance. 

History  will  attest  that  in  every  honorable  way  they 
strove  to  avert  the  threatened  danger. 

Regarding  the  political  tenets  which  culminated  in  the 
elevation  of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  the  presidency  of  the 
United  States  as  fraught  with  evil  to  the  Soutli,  they  re- 
solved to  assert  those  rights  of  Sovereign  States  which 
they  had  learned  from  the  fathers  of  the  Republic ;  and 
to  attempt  the  establishment  of  a  government  free  from 
those  disturbing  causes  which  had  for  many  years  threat- 
ened the  peace  of  the  Union.  The  South  was  not  alone 
in  its  apprehensions  of  danger  from  the  triumph  of  a 
sectional  party.  AVise  and  moderate  men  at  the  North 
felt  and  expressed  their  fears  for  the  safety  of  the  coun- 
tr3^  A  prominent  divine,  in  a  funeral  discourse  on  the 
eminent  Judge  McLean,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States,  who  was  taken  away  just  as  the  dark 
shadows  began  to  fall  on  the  land,  says  : 

"  He  told  me  that  he  had  marked  the  downward  pro- 
gress of  our  nation  and  of  our  government  for  many 
_years  ;  that  he  knew  that,  as  a  people,  we  had  become  cor- 
rupt to  the  very  core  ;  that  politics  had  degenerated  into  a 
mere  trade,  or  rather  a  mere  gambling  speculation  ;  and 
he  added,  with  emphatic  solemnity,  and,  as  there  is  too 
much  reason  to  fear,  with  prophetic  sagacitj',  'I  do  not 
believe  there  is  virtue  enough  in  the  nation  to  sustain 
such  a  government  as  ours  much  longer.  In  one  of  the 
last  letters  I  received  from  him,  he  repeated  with  great 


SIMMEU   AND    AUTUMN   OF    1861.  87 

confidence  the  remark  that  our  national  corruption  had 
destroyed  us." 

The  attempt  to  coerce  the  South  into  submission,  after 
the  riglit  of  self-government  had  been  asserted  in  the 
most  solemn  and  authoritative  forms,  was  felt  to  be  a 
war  of  invasion,  and  the  determination  to  resist  was 
deep  and  almost  universal.  The  strong  feelings  of  reli- 
gion and  patriotism  were  evoked  at  the  same  moment, 
and  by  the  same  act,  and  men  entered  tlie  ranks  under 
the  conviction  that  in  so  doing  they  were  faithful  alike 
to  God  and  their  countrj'.  This  we  must  bear  in  mind, 
or  we  shall  not  be  prepared  for  that  pervasive  spiritual 
influence  whicli  so  eminently  marked  the  Southern  ar- 
mies. That  these  convictions  were  well  founded,  the  re- 
vival which  moved  with  the  war,  and  deepened  as  it 
deepened,  was  the  great  attestation.  The  revival  in  our 
armies,  tried  by  all  the  tests  known  to  men,  was  a  genu- 
ine revival ;  its  fruits  were  rich,  abupdant,  and  perma- 
nent. It  was  carried  forward  by  the  means  which  have 
been  emplo^'ed  for  the  salvation  of  men  in  all  ages  ;  and 
to-day  there  are  thousands  in  heaven,  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands on  earth,  who  enjoy  the  blessedness  of  that  spirit- 
ual baptism  which  fell  upon  them  amidst  the  strife,  and 
anguish,  and  bloodshed  of  war. 

The  best  index  to  the  state  of  mind  and  heart  with 
which  the  Southern  people  entered  upon  the  war  may  be 
found  in  the  religious  papers  of  that  period. 

The  secular  papers  were  emplo3'^ed  in  discussing  the 
great  political  doctrines  involved ;  it  is  in  the  religious 
press  that  we  are  to  find  those  views  of  religious  duty 
which  the  soldiers  took  with  them  into  the  army. 

The  honored  President  of  the  Confederacy  struck  the 
key-note  of  national  feeling  in  the  following  extract  from 
one  of  his  earliest  messages  : 

"We  feel  that  our  cause  is  just  and  holy  ;  we  profess 
solemnly  in  the  face  of  mankind  that  we  desire  peace  at 
any  sacrifice,  save  that  of  honor  and  independence ;  we 


88  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

seek  no  conquest,  no  aggrandizement,  no  concession  of 
any  kind  from  the  States  with  which  we  were  lately  con- 
federated ;  all  we  ask  is  to  be  let  alone  ;  that  those  who 
never  held  power  over  us  shall  not  now  attempt  our  sub- 
jugation by  arms.  This  we  will,  this  we  must  resist  to 
tha  direst  extremity.  The  moment  that  this  pretension 
is  abandoned  the  sword  will  drop  from  our  grasp,  and 
we  shall  be  ready  to  enter  into  treaties  of  amity  and 
commerce  that  cannot  but  be  mutually  beneficial." 

The  religion  of  the  people,  no  less  than  their  patriot- 
ism, fully  responded  to  these  sentiments.  One  thing,  in- 
deed, the  world  must  understand,  that  while  the  Chris- 
tian people  of  the  Southern  States  engaged  in  the  war, 
they  did  so  under  the  full  sense  of  what  behooved  them 
as  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  war,  in  an  "Address  to  Chris- 
tians Throughout  the  World,"  signed  by  one  hundred  of 
the  prominent  ministers  of  the  various  denominations  in 
the  South,  the  following  language  was  held  : 

"The  war  is  forced  upon  us.  We  have  always  desired 
peace.  After  a  conflict  of  opinions  between  the  North 
and  the  South,  in  Church  and  State,  of  more  than  thirty 
years,  growing  more  bitter  and  painful  daily,  we  witli- 
draw  from  them  to  secure  peace — they  send  troops  to 
compel  us  into  re-union  !  Our  proposition  was  peacea- 
ble separation,  saying,  'We  are  actually  divided,  our  7)o- 
minal  union  is  only  a  platform  of  strife.'  The  answer  is 
a  call  for  troops  to  force  submission  to  a  government 
whose  character,  in  the  judgment  of  the  South,  has  been 
sacrificed  to  sectionalism." 

The  Southern  people  did  not  shrink  from,  indeed  they 
courted,  an  investigation  into  the  moral  and  religious 
condition  of  the  slaves,  that  unfortunate  race,  <^oiicern- 
ing  whom  they  have  been  so  thoroughly  misunderstood 
and  abused. 

In  the  same  address,  it  was  said  : 

"  We  are  aware  that  in  respect  to  the  moral  aspects  of 


SUaniER   AND    AUTL'MN   OF    IJ^GI.  89 

the  question  of  slaver}'-,  we  differ  from  those  who  con- 
ceive of  emancipation  as  a  measure  of  benevolence,  and 
on  that  account  we  suffer  much  reproach  which  we  are 
conscious  of  not  deserving. 

"  With  all  the  facts  of  the  system  of  slavery  before 
us,  '  as  eye  witnesses  and  ministers  of  the  word,  having 
had  perfect  understanding  of  all  things'  on  this  subject 
of  which  we  speak,  we  may  surely  claim  respect  for  our 
opinions  and  statements. 

"  Most  of  us  have  grown  up  from  childhood  among  the 
slaves ;  all  of  us  have  preached  to  and  taught  them  the 
word  of  life  ;  have  administered  to  them  the  ordinances 
of  the  Christian  Church  :  sincerely  love  them  as  souls 
for  whom  Christ  died ;  we  go  among  them  freely  and 
know  them  in  health  and  sickness,  in  labor  and  rest, 
from  infancy  to  old  age.  We  are  familiar  with  their 
physical  and  moral  condition,  and  alive  to  all  their  inter- 
ests, and  we  testify  in  the  sight  of  God,  that  the  rela- 
tion of  master  and  slave  among  us,  however  we  may  de- 
plore abuses  in  this,  as  in  other  relations  of  mankind,  is 
not  incompatible  with  our  holy  Christianity^  and  that 
the  presence  of  the  African  in  our  land  is  an  occasion  of 
gratitude  on  their  behalf,  before  God  ;  seeing  that  there- 
by Divine  Providence  has  brought  them  where  missiona- 
ries of  the  Cross  maj'^  freely  proclaim  to  them  the  word 
of  salvation,  and  the  work  is  not  interrupted  by  agitating 
fanaticism.  The  South  has  done  more  than  any  people 
on  earth  for  the  Christianization  of  the  African  race. 
The  condition  of  slaves  here  is  not  wretched,  as  North- 
ern fictions  would  have  men  believe,  but  prosperous  and 
happy,  and  would  have  been  j-et  more  so  but  for  the 
mistaken  zeal  of  abolitionists.  Can  emancipation  ob- 
tain for  them  a  better  portion?  The  practicable  plan 
for  benefitting  the  African  race  must  be  the  providential 
plan — the  scriptural  plan.  We  adopt  that  plan  in  the 
South,  and  while  the  State  should  seek  by  wholesome 
legislation  to  regard  the  interests  of  master  and  slave, 


90  THE    GIUCAT    REVIVAL. 

we  as  ministers  would  preach  the  word  to  both  as  we 
are  commanded  of  God.  This  war  has  not  benefitted 
the  slaves.  Those  that  have  been  encouraged  or  com- 
pelled to  leave  their  masters  have  gone,  and  we  aver 
can  go,  to  no  state  of  society  tliat  offers  them  any  better 
things  than  they  have  at  home,  either  in,respect  to  their 
temporal  or  eternal  welfare. 

"We  regard  abolitionism  as  an  interference  with  the 
plans  of  Divine  Providence.  It  has  not  the  sign  of  the 
Lord's  blessing.  It  is  a  fanaticism  which  puts  forth  no 
good  fruit ;  instead  of  blessing,  it  has  brought  forth 
cursing  ;  instead  of  love,  hatred  ;  instead  of  life,  death — 
bitterness  and  sorrow  and  pain  and  infidelity  and  moral 
degeneracy  follow  its  labors.  We  remember  how  the 
Apostle  has  taught  the  minister  of  Jesus  upon  this  sub- 
ject, sajung,  'Let  as  many  servants  as  are  under  the 
j'oke  count  their  own  masters  worthy  of  all  honor,  that 
the  name  of  God  and  his  doctrine  be  not  blasphemed. 
And  the^'^  that  have  believing  masters,  let  them  not  de- 
spise them,  because  they  are  brethren ;  but  rather  do 
them  service,  because  they  are  faithful  and  beloved,  par- 
takers of  the  benefit.  These  things  teach  and  exliort. 
If  any  man  teach  otherwise,  and  consent  not  to  whole- 
some words,  even  the  words  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
and  to  the  doctrine  which  is  according  to  godliness,  he 
is  proud,  knowing  nothing,  but  doting  about  questions 
and  strifes  of  words,  whereof  cometh  envy,  strife,  rail- 
ings, evil  surmisings,  heresies,  disputings  of  men  of  cor- 
rupt minds  and  destitute  of  the  truth,  supposing  that 
gain  is  godliness  :  from  such  withdraw'  thyself.'  This  is 
what  we  teach." 

Speaking  of  the  religious  work  of  the  South,  they 
say: 

"The  Christians  of  the  South,  we  claim,  are  pious,  in- 
telligent, and  liberal.  Their  pastoral  and  missionary 
work  have  claims  of  peculiar  interest.  There  are  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  here,  both  white  and  colored,  who 


su:kr>rER  and  autumn  of  18C1.  91 

are  not  strangers  to  the  blood  that  bought  Ihem.  We 
rejoice  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  has  not  de- 
spised us.  AVe  desire  as  much  as  in  us  lieth  to  live 
peaceably  with  all  men,  and  though  reviled,  to  revile  not 
again. 

"Our  soldiers  were  before  the  war  our  fellow-citizens, 
and  many  of  them  are  of  the  household  of  faith,  who 
have  carried  to  the  camp  so  much  of  the  leaven  of  Chris- 
tianity that  amid  all  the  demoralizing  influences  of  army 
life  the  good  work  of  salvation  has  gone  forward  tliere. 
"Our  President,  some  of  our  most  influential  states- 
men, our  Commanding  General,  and  an  unusual  propor- 
tion of  the  principal  Generals,  as  well  as  scores  of  other 
officers,  are  prominent,  and  we  believe  consistent  mem- 
bers of  the  Church.  Thousands  of  our  soldiers  are  men 
of  prayer." 

"  In  conclusion,"  said  these  representatives  of  the  re- 
ligious sentiments  of  the  South,  "  we  ask  for  ourselves, 
our  churches,  our  country,  the  devout  prayers  of  all 
God's  people — '  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.' " 

The  spirit  which  marked  the  Churches  in  the  North 
and  in  the  South  was  widely  diff'erent.  Referring  to  this, 
a  leading  Southern  religious  paper  said  : 

"  They  of  the  Northern  Church  say  that  they  'glory  in 
this  war.'  We  of  the  South  glory  in  no  such  thing. 
Forced  to  defend  ourselves,  we  shall  certainly  meet  our 
enemies  without  an  iota  of  fear,  and  hope  to  drive  tliem 
back  to  a  glory  they  will  not  be  proud  of  in  history  ;  but 
we  will  warn  them,  in  the  name  of  truth  and  God,  to 
pause  before  they  put  foot  on  Southern  soil.  Every  man 
in  the  South  who  is  strong  enough  to  pull  a  trigger  is 
ready  to  do  it,  and  here  we  stand  to  defend  ourselves 
while  a  man,  woman  or  child  of  the  South  is  alive. 
While  the  Northern  Christians  are  so  piously  trusting  in 
superior  numbers,  we  arm,  and  fast,  and  pray,  and  our 
cry  is,  0,  Lord  of  Hosts,  we  trust  in  thee  !  While  they 
are  making  every  effort  to  get  up  and  keep  at  fever  lieat 


02  THE    onEAT    IlEVIVAL. 

the  Northern  war  spirit,  we  need  no  appeals  beyond  their 
own  ferocious  and  boastful  cries  to  keep  us  ready  for 
their  coming.  And  while  they  claim  to  have  God's  bless- 
ing, we  are  content, — if  God  bless  them  with  success,  be 
it  so, — he  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  he  will.  We  know 
'in  whom'  we  'have  believed.'  We  seek  no  man's  blood, 
and  we  are  not  afraid  while  the  Lord  reigneth." 

Another  thus  expressed  the  belief  of  almost  the  en- 
tire population  of  the  Southern  States  : 

"In  this  unhappy  war  we  find,  on  our  side,  no  compro- 
mise of  Christian  principle.  The  South  has  accepted  it 
as  a  last  necessity — an  alternative  in  which  there  was  no 
choice  but  submission  to  a  dynasty  considered  oppres- 
sive, and  in  its  very  principles  antagonistic  to  her  rights 
and  subversive  of  her  existence. 

"  Hence  her  sons,  who  are  true  Christians,  have  no 
compunctions  of  conscience  when  they  go  forth  in  her 
armies.  They  find,  on  the  contrary,  an  approbation  of 
conscience  in  their  decision  to  fight  for  their  homes  and 
altars.  '  In  the  name  of  our  God  we  set  up  our  banners.' 
We  go  to  meet  the  invaders  'in  the  name  of  the  Lord  of 
hosts.' 

"  We  speak  the  common  sentiment  of  Southern  Cliris- 
tians  when  we  say  that  we  are  willing  for  Him  to  decide 
this  contest  on  its  merits.  We  protest,  in  the  face  of 
Heaven,  we  want  nothing  but  our  rights,  we  demand  no- 
thing but  our  rights.  We  have  wronged  no  man,  no 
State,  no  government.  What  is  our  own,  and  nothing 
more,  do  we  claim. 

"  It  is  this  view  of  the  case  that  has  caused  so  large  a 
representation  from  the  domain  of  the  Church  in  the 
army  of  the  Confederate  States.  The  very  love  for  jus- 
tice and  righteousness — the  intense  sympathy  with  equi- 
ty, for  its  own  sake — engendered  in  the  heart  b}'  the 
Spirit  of  truth,  have  influenced  the  hundreds  of  Israel  to 
gird  on  the  sword." 

While  the  war  was  accepted  as  a  dire  necessity,  our 


SUMMER    AND    AUTUMN    OF    1861.  93 

people  were  urged  to  draw  from  its  calamities  the  most 
salutary  lessons.     Another  journal  exhorted   us  to  re- 
member that  "  He  who  rules  and  overrules  all  things  af- 
ter the  counsels  of  His  own  will,  suiFers  no  wind  to  rise 
that  does  not  blow  good  to  somebody.     To  His  people, 
especially,  every  wind,   from  the  gentle  breeze  to  the 
terrible  hurricane,  bears  seeds  of  blessing  on  its  wings. 
Full  often,  too,  it  is  the  violent  wind  that  scatters  these 
seeds  most  widely  and  abundantly — converting  the  scene 
of  its  devastation  into  the  richest  harvest-field  of  happi- 
ness for  those  who  exercise  the  husbandry  of  faith  and 
patience.     May  we  not  make  this  our  experience,  as  re- 
spects the  storm  of  war  which  beats  on  the  land,  threat- 
ening to  rain  tears  and  blood  through  all  our  borders  ? 
May  we  not  gather  from  it  lessons  of  highest  value,  on 
the  insecurit}^  of  earthly  things,  the  folly  of  idolatrous 
attachment  to  the  possessions  of  the  present  life,  and 
the  necessity  of  a  better  and  an  enduring  substance  in 
heaven  ?     May  it  not  awaken  us  to  the  blessedness  of 
sacrifice  and  suffering  for  a  great  and  worthy  cause  ? 
May  it  not  enforce  the  wisdom  of  constant  readiness  for 
eternitj%  and  lead  to  a  closer  walk  with  God  and  a  more 
unwavering  trust  in  him  ?     May  it  not  deepen  the  sense 
of  personal  guiltiness  and  strip  the  mask  more  and  more 
from  the  deformity  of  sin,  as  shadowed  forth  in  the  self- 
ishness and  the  desolation  of  war  ?     May  it  not  render 
increasingly  precious  the  privilege  of  intercession,  which 
casts  all  our  care  for  those  we  love  upon  One  who  loves 
them  far  more  ?     May  it  not  lead  us  to  recognize,  with 
profounder  gratitude,  the  hand  of  God  in  all  that  is  left 
to  us  of  temporal  blessing  ?     Oh !  these,  and  many  other 
teachings  of  like  sort,  Eternal  Wisdom  reads  to  us  out 
of  the  volume  of  war.     Be  it  our  purpose  and  prayer,  to 
hearken  with  obedient  ear  to  the  stern  but  salutary  in- 
struction." 

Even  when  our  people  were  wild  with  excitement,  and 
the  cry,  "  To  arms !  To  arms !"  resounded  through  the 


04  Tire   GREAT    KEVIVAL. 

land,  they  were  counselled  to  moderation,  and  to  a  culti- 
vation of  charitable  feelings  towards  those  who  opposed 
them  : 

"Men's  heads,"  said  a  prominent  journalist,  "may  be 
wrong  when  their  hearts  are  right.  This  we  must  bear 
in  mind ;  for  it  will  not  do  to  discredit  the  whole  Chris- 
tianity of  the  North.  A  deep  and  prevalent  political 
heres}^  an  overwhelming  outside  pressure,  a  misappre- 
hension of  the  principles  and  purpose  of  those  against 
whom  they  war,  local  prejudices,  social  atmosphere, 
a  mental  bias  and  ignorance  that  is  not  wholl^^  vol- 
untary— these  all  must  be  talcen  into  the  account  in 
our  moral  estimate  of  many  of  our  enemies,  even  those 
proposing,  for  their  good  and  our  own,  to  subjugate  or 
exterminate  us.  And  we  must  consider  these  things  if 
we  would  fulfill  tlie  commandment,  'Love  your  enemies.' 

"  Love  is  the  roj^al  law,  and  its  dues  are  not  intermit- 
ted even  in  war.  It  is  never  superseded  by  martial  law, 
or  any  other  law.  Always  difficult  of  exercise,  'Love 
your  enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you,'  is  now  the  se- 
vere test  of  Christian  character  on  a  national  scale. 

"'If  it  be  possible,  as  much  as  lieth  in  you  live  peace- 
ably with  all  men.'  It  ma,y  not  always  be  possible.  In 
our  case  it  is  clearly  impossible  unless  we  sacrifice  rights, 
in  the  defe)ice  and  preservation  of  which  the  highest  du- 
ties to  God  and  man  are  involved.  But  even  in  this  case 
we  must,  and  b}'  grace  we  can,  keep  the  heart  free  from 
malice,  hatred,  revenge." 

Another,  in  the. following  earnest  strain,  begged  the 
people  not  to  forget  God,  and  their  duties  to  him,  while 
they  buckled  on  the  weapons  of  carnal  warfare  : 

"  Do  not,  m}"^  brother,  let  your  mind  run  too  exclusive- 
ly upon  our  political  condition — do  not  think  too  con- 
stantly about  the  war.  There  is  something  of  more  mo- 
ment to  us  than  what  is  involved  in  these  questions 
which  are  shaking  our  social  fabric  to  its  foundations. 
The  Christian  is  interested  in  a  greater  contest  than  that 


SUMMER   AND    AUTUMN    OF    18G1.  95 

which  founds  or  upturns  empires.  Momentous  as  our 
present  revolution  is,  it  is  but  one  of  the  passing  inci- 
dents oF  the  world's  long  history,  and  to  be  classed  only 
as  an  important  one  among  the  many  contingencies  of  a 
life-time — none  of  which  should  ever  rise  between  our 
faith  and  the  view  of  things  eternal.  No  Christian  duty 
or  work  should  be  intermitted,  because  greater  events 
than  we  have  3'et  known  are  passing  in  review  and  ob- 
truding upon  our  anxious  minds.  Great  as  they  are,  the 
work  of  a  Christian  is  greater  still.  Our  duty  may  be 
full}^  done  to  our  country,  but  we  are  undone  if  it  be  not 
discharged  toward  God.  Our  country  may  be  saved  and 
ourselves  lost.  Peace  may  come  to  the  land,  while  war 
springs  up  between  our  hearts  and  God.  A  worldly  in- 
heritance may  be  gained,  and  yet  its  cost  may  be  the  sa- 
crifice of  a  heavenly.  A  great  republic  may  rise  out  of 
the  chaos  around  us,  while  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  which 
should  be  our  first  love  and  our  constant  care,  may  be- 
come secondary  in  our  affections." 

The  felt  dependence  of  the  people  on  God  in  their 
momentous  struggle  expressed  itself  in  the  calls  that 
were  made  for  earnest  and  importunate  prayer.  It  was 
widely  proposed  through  the  religious  papers  of  the 
South,  "that  at  precisely  one  o'clock,  every  day,  until 
these  calamities  be  overpast,  a  few  minutes  be  set  apart 
for  prayer  by  each  individual  in  the  Confederate  States, 
or  in  States  which  sympathize  with  the  Southern  Confed- 
eracy. There  maj'-  be  no  meeting  for  prayer  at  any  par- 
ticular place,  but  let  each  one  for  himself,  wherever  he 
may  be,  at  one  o'clock,  spend  a  little  while  in  devout 
supplication  to  the  Almighty.  Let  the  merchant  retire 
for  a  moment  from  his  counting-room,  or  if  this  be  not 
possible,  let  him  lift  up  his  heart  to  God  in  pious  ejacu- 
lation ;  let  the  farmer  stop  his  plough  in  the  furrow ;  let 
the  mechanic  stay  his  hand  from  labor ;  let  the  phj^sician 
pause  for  a  moment  on  his  mission  of  mercy ;  let  the 
lawyer  lay  aside  his  brief;  let  the  student  rest  from  his 


96  Tire    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

toil ;  let  the  mother  lay  her  babe  in  the  cradle  ;  let  the 
busy  housewife  suspend  her  domestic  cares ;  let  every 
man,  whatever  his  calling  or  pursuits,  suspend  them ;  let 
all  business  halt,  and  the  whole  land  be  still.  In  that 
moment  of  quiet,  in  very  mid-day,  when  stillness  is  so 
unusual,  when  it  will  be  then  all  the  more  impressive,  let 
every  praying  soul  remember  his  country  and  its  defend- 
ers before  God.  It  would  be  best,  if  possible,  to  retire 
for  the  moment  to  some  private  place,  and  on  bended 
knees  give  oral  utterance  to  the  desire  of  the  heart. 
But  if  this  cannot  be  done,  the  silent  prayer  may  be  sent 
up  to  God  as  we  walk  the  street  or  pursue  our  journey, 
or  even  in  the  midst  of  all  the  wliirl  and  din  of  business 
life.  Thus  shall  every  heart  be  engaged,  and  every  soul 
come  to  the  rescue ;  thus  shall  all  the  devout  of  the  land 
be  brought  nigh  to  each  other,  for 

'•Though  sundered  far,  by  faith  they  meet, 
Around  one  common  mercy-seat." 

In  midsummer  of  1861,  the  President,  in  accordance 
with  the  recommendation  of  tlie  Confederate  Congress, 
called  the  people  to  fasting,  humiliation,  and  pra3^er,  de- 
claring in  his  proclamation,  that  "  it  becomes  us  to  re- 
cogni'-ce  God's  righteous  government,  to  supplicate  his 
merciful  protection,  and  to  implore  the  Lord  of  Hosts  to 
guide  and  direct  our  policy  in  the  paths  of  right,  justice, 
and  mercy."  In  response,  the  Cln-istian  people  of  the 
South  bowed,  fasting  and  praying,  before  the  Throne  ot 
Grace,  supplicating  the  guidance  and  protection  of  the 
God  of  their  fathers. 

A  leading  journal,  in  urging  the  people  to  a  higher  na- 
tional moralit}^  said,  in  view  of  the  general  observance 
of  this  day : 

"Two  weeks  ago  hundreds  of  thousands  of  them  were 
assembled  in  our  churches,  fasting  and  praying.  Con- 
fession was  made  of  sins,  thanks  were  rendered  for  mer- 
cies, and  our  defensive  struggle  was  commended  unto 
God." 


SUiMJlEK   AND    ALTUMN    OF    1861.  97 

The  following  aescription  of  the  manner  in  which  the 
ila^''  was  observed  at  Galveston,  Texas,  will  give  an  idea 
of  the  unanimity  and  fervor  of  the  people  all  over  the 
South : 

"  In  this  city  the  day  was  observed  with  unparalleled 
unanimity.  All  places  of  business  were  closed  ;  a  Sab- 
bath stillness  reigned  in  the  streets ;  and  our  places  of 
prayer  were  filled  several  successive  times  with  solemn 
and  devout  worshippers.  At  five  o'clock  morning  prayer 
meeting  the  Methodist  church  was  crowded ;  and  so  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  at  the  nine  o'clock  prayer-meet- 
ing, and  the  Baptist  church  at  the  prayer-meeting  which 
closed  with  the  setting  of  the  sun.  Sermons  approi)riate 
to  the  occasion  were  jireached  in  several  of  the  churches 
at  eleven  o'clock.  The  Presbyterian,  Baptist,  and  Meth- 
odist denominations  united  their  arrangements,  hy  spe- 
cial agreement.  It  is  a  day  long  to  be  remembered  in 
Galveston ;  and  will,  we  feel  confident,  leave  a  lasting 
impression  for  good.  The  prayers  were  fervent  for  the 
])rosperity  of  the  Confederate  States;  for  the  success  of 
their  cause  ;  for  those  in  authorit}' ;  for  our  generals  and 
armies  ;  for  our  enemies,  that  God  would  give  them  a 
better  mind ;  for  a  speedy  and  honorable  peace,  or  for 
the  victory  of  our  armies  in  the  war  of  independence,  if 
it  must  be  waged." 

Those  who  entered  the  army  went  with  the  most  ar- 
dent prayers  and  the  most  fervent  exhortations  to  be 
good  patriots  and  good  Christians.  In  the  midst  ot 
every  company,  just  before  it  started  for  the  camp,  might 
be  heard  the  voice  of  the  minister  humbly  invoking  the 
blessing  of  God  on  those  who  were  going  forth  to  the 
strife  of  war.  And  after  they  reached  the  army  they 
were  not  forgotten ;  praj'er  went  up  hourly  for  the  gal- 
lant men  who  stood  in  battle  array,  and  by  private  let- 
ters and  the  puV)lic  press  they  were  exhorted  to  bear 
themselves  like  men  that  feared  God. 

The  venerable  Bishop  Andrew,  of  the  INI.  E.  Cluuch, 
5 


98  TILE    GUEAT   REVIVAL. 

South,  in  writing  to  the  ministers  and  members  of  his 
Church  in  the  array,  said  : 

"  Remember,  brethren,  wherever  you  are,  that  you  are 
ministers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ;  never  let  the  Christian  min- 
ister be  merged  in  the  soldier.  You  will,  doubtless,  in 
camp,  be  surrounded  by  those  who  will  have  little  sym- 
pathy with  your  religious  views  and  feeliags,  and  who 
will  closely  and  constantly  scrutinize  your  whole  con- 
duct. Oh,  do  not,  by  any  inadvertence  of  act  or  speech, 
give  occasion  for  the  enemies  of  Christ  to  blaspheme ; 
but  let  your  walk  be  such  as  to  constrain  them  to  glorify 
3^our  Father  in  heaven.     Oh,  be  witnesses  for  Jesus  ! 

"There  is  no  position  in  which  a  Christian  can  be 
placed  in  which  he  may  not  exert  much  influence  for 
good.  It  will  be  necessary  to  reprove  those  who  sin, 
and  it  is  an  important  lesson  to  learn  how  to  give  reproof 
in  love  and  gentleness,  and  yet  with  faithfulness,  and  a 
proper  measure  of  Christian  dignity.  Many  opportuni- 
ties will  be  afforded  you  of  strengthening  the  weak,  and 
recovering,  those  who  are  just  on  the  verge  of  falling. 
And  should  you  so  deport  yourselves  as  to  command  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  your  companions  in  arms,  you 
will  find  many  unexpected  calls  for  advice.  Strive  to 
prepare  yourself  to  give  it.  In  a  word,  be  a  thorough 
and  consistent  Christian  yourself,  and  j^ou  will  be  always 
prepared  to  help  others.  Yet  once  more,  the  voice  of 
affliction  will  frequently  greet  your  ears  :  a  brother  sol- 
dier, sick  and  dying  far  from  home  and  loved  ones,  is 
struggling  with  disease  and  death  among  those  who  arc, 
comparativel}'  strangers  ;  no  wife's  or  mother's  or  sister's 
soft  hand  chafes  his  fevered  brow,  or  with  woman's  sweet 
and  gentle  voice,  speaking  words  of  kindness,  points  the 
dying  man  to  Him  of  Calvary, — how  sweet,  under  these 
circumstances,  will  be  the  words  of  kindness  from  your 
lips,  and  how  grateful  to  his  ears  the  voice  of  pra^'er 
and  praise,  as  you  kneel  beside  him  and  wrestle  with 
God  in  his  behalf,  and  talk  sweetly  to  him  of  Jesus  and 


SUMMER  AND  AUTUMN  OF  18G1.  'JH 

his  salvation  !  But.  oh  !  who  can  describe  the  blighting 
influence  of  one  ungodly  minister  in  a  company  or  regi- 
ment !     May  God  preserve  our  armies  from  all  such !" 

These  extracts,  which  might  be  indefinitely  multiplied, 
will  show  the  religious  cuiimus  of  the  Southern  people 
when  they  entered  upon  the  war. 

We  have  now  reached  a  point  from  which  we  may  cast 
our  eyes  over  the  assembled  hosts  of  the  South,  and 
mark  the  buddings  of  that  glorious  work  of  grace  which 
is  the  great  moral  phenomenon  of  the  present  age. 

There  have  been  revivals  in  the  midst  of  wars  in  other 
countries,  and  in  other  times ;  but  history  records  none 
so  deep,  so  pervasive,  so  well  marked,  by  all  the  charar- 
teristics  of  a  divine  work  as  that  which  shed  its  blessed 
light  on  the  armies  of  the  South  in  their  struggle  for  in- 
dependence. 

So  vast  were  the  proportions  of  the  revival  in  the  se- 
cond, third  and  fourth  years  of  the  war,  that  we  are  apt 
to  overlook  the  first  fruits  in  the  opening  of  the  conflict. 
In  the  spring  of  1861  the  troops  were  gathered  at  the 
important  points  of  defence.  The  chief  interest  centred 
on  Virginia,  as  it  was  felt  that,  after  the  affair  of  Fort 
Sumter,  the  storm  would  burst  upon  her  soil. 

In  the  armies  stationed  at  Manassas,  Winchester,  Nor- 
folk, Aquia  Creek,  and  other  places,  the  most  cheering 
signs  appeared. 

Rev.  C.  F.  Fry,  of  the  Baptist  Colportage  Board,  wrote 
from  the  Army  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia  : 

"I  have  visited  most  of  the  encampments  in  the  Val- 
\ey,  and  could  have  sold  more  than  $100  worth  of  books 
a  month  if  my  assortment  had  been  larger — especially 
if  I  could  have  had  a  good  supply  of  Testaments.  A 
captain  said  to  me,  'I  am  a  sinner,  and  wish  you  to  select 
some  books  to  suit  mj^  case.'  I  did  so  ;  and  at  night  he 
called  his  men  into  line  and  asked  me  to  pray  for  them. 
Another  captain  seemed  much  interested  on  the  subject 
of  religion.     I  tried  to  explain  to  him  the  way  to  be 


100  TIIK    (iRKAT    REVIVAL. 

saved,  and  in  a  few  da3^s  I  heard  of  his  fighting  bravely 
at  Manassas.  I  have  prayer  and  exhortation  meetings 
frequently,  which  are  well  attended,  and  often  tears  flow 
from  eyes  unused  to  weep,  while  I  point  them  to  the 
Lamb  of  God." 

Rev.  R.  W.  Cridlin  wrote  of  his  labors  at  Norfolk  and 
the  vicinity : 

"I  visited  Craney  Island  last  Saturday.  Col.  Smith, 
who  has  charge  of  the  forces  there,  is  a  pious  man,  and 
has  prayers  with  his  men  every  night.  He  seemed  glad 
to  have  me  labor  among  his  command,  and  will  doubtless 
render  me  any  aid  I  may  need." 

Mr.  J.  C.  Clopton  wrote  from  among  the  sick  and 
wounded  at  Charlottesville  : 

"This  is  a  most  inviting  field,  as  hundreds  are  here  on 
beds  of  suffering,  and  consequently  disposed  to  consider 
things  that  make  for  their  peace.  The  deepest  feeling 
is  often  manifested ;  they  listen  to  what  I  say,  and  read 
with  great  eagerness  the  tracts  and  books  I  give  them." 

Another  faithful  colporteur,  Mr.  M.  D.  Anderson,  said 
of  the  scenes  he  witnessed  at  Fredericksburg  and  Aquia 
Creek : 

"  I  have  gone  nearly  through  the  regiments  stationed 
between  Fredericksburg  and  the  Creek.  The  soldiers 
are  eager  for  religious  reading ;  and  frequently,  when 
they  have  seen  me  coming,  they  have  even  run  to  meet 
me,  exclaiming,  "Have  3^ou  any  Testaments?'  Much  of 
ray  time  has  been  spent  with  the  sick  in  the  hospitals, 
where,  oftentimes,  my  heart  was  made  to  rejoice  at  wit- 
nessing the  sustaining  power  of  Christianity  in  those 
who  were  struggling  with  the  last  enemy.  One,  with 
whom  I  had  often  conversed  on  personal  religion,  was 
sick — nigh  unto  death ;  I  stood  by  him,  but  doubted  the 
propriety  of  speaking ;  at  last,  he  fixed  his  eyes  upon 
me  and  said  :  'Talk  to  me  about  Jesus.'  I  asked  if  tiie 
Lord  was  with  him,  and  he  replied,  '  Yes,  with  me,  and 
that  to   bless.     I   know  that  my  Redeemer   liveth.'  &c. 


SUMilER   AND    AUTl-.MX    O?'    18C1.  101 

Another  remarked  to  mo  that  at  home  he  had  l)een  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Church  ;  but  that  since  he  had 
been  in  camp  he  had  wandered  off  and  brought  reproach 
upon  his  profession,  but  that  this  sickness,  from  which 
he  was  then  suffering,  liad  been  blessed  to  his  soul,  and 
that  he  sliouhl,  with  divine  help,  live  a  new  life  and  con- 
secrate himself  to  the  cause  of  God.  I  have  been  able 
to  supply  many  with  the  Bible,  especially  as  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Christian  Association  in  Fredericksburg  had 
given  me  a  fine  lot  of  Bibles."' 

A  writer,  speaking  of  the  religious  services  in  the 
Fourth'North  Carolina  regiment,  says  : 

"  There  are  four  ministers  of  the  gospel  attached  to 
this  regiment.  Sabbath  before  last  a  most  solemn  ser- 
vice was  held  at  Garysburg.  The  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  administered  to  the  Christian  pro- 
fessors of  the  regiment.  The  services  were  conducted 
by  Rev.  Captain  Miller,  aided  by  several  other  clergy- 
men. The  thought  that  it  would  probably  be  the  last 
time  in  which  some  would  participate  in  the  ordinance, 
and  that  before  another  opportunity  occurs  they  might 
be  on  the  field  of  battle,  affected  every  mind,  and  gave 
great  tenderness  to  the  meeting." 

"  I  have  spent,"  says  Rev.  W.  J.  W.  Crowder,  "  most 
of  the  time  for  several  weeks  among  the  soldiers,  to 
whom  I  gave  about  200,000  pages  of  tracts,  and  had 
conversations  on  personal  religion  with  over  2,300  in 
their  camps  and  hospitals.  I  find  many  of  them  pious, 
daily  reading  the  Bible  and  praying  to  God.  But,  by 
far,  the  largest  portion  of  them  are  irreligious.  In  three 
companies,  of  about  three  hundred  men,  only  seven  were 
professors  of  religion,  and  there  were  but  few  Bibles  and 
Testaments  among  them.  A  lady  requested  me  to  give 
for  her  all  I  had  of  the  excellent  tract,  '  Come  to  Jesus,' 
$10. 7G  worth ;  a  copy  of  which  I  gave  to  a  soldier  one 
Sunday  morning,  on  which  I  marked  the  91st  Psalm. 
The  Sunday  following  he  wished  me  to  sit  with  him  in 


102  TIIK    GREAT    liKVIVAL. 

his  tent.  He  stated  that  the  tract  caused  him  to  got  his 
Bible  and  read  the  Psalm.  On  opening  to  it  lie  was  siir- 
prised  to  find  a  piece  of  paper  pinned  to  this  Psalm, 
upon  wliich  was  written  in  a  lieautiful  hand  by  his  sister 
Emma  these  lines  : 

"  When  from  home  receduior, 

And  from  hearts  that  ache  to  bleeding, 
Think  of  those  behind  who  love  thee  ; 

Thuik  how  long  the  night  will  be 
To  the  eyes  that  weep  for  thee." 

"  God  bless  thee  and  keep  thee." 

"The  melting  tenderness  before  God  in  that  tent  can- 
not be  expressed.  Some  of  his  mates  were  religious  and 
ready  to  encourage  him  in  seeking  salvation." 

The  same  useful  man  says  that  when  he  handed  his 
tracts  to  the  soldiers  they  would  say,  "This  is  the  kind 
of  reading  we  want,  to  help  us  fulfill  the  promises  we 
made  to  our  wives,  parents,  sisters,  ministers,  and  loved 
ones  on  leaving  home,  that  we  would  seek  God  to  be  our 
guide  and  refuge." 

"Such  expressions,"  he  says,  "I  have  frequently  heard 
from  a  great  many  of  the  more  than  7,000  soldiers  witii 
whom  I  have  talked  on  personal  religion." 

A  prominent  officer  came  to  Mr.  C.  and  said  :  "  I  feel 
it  m}'^  duty  to  say  that  the  good  influence  exerted  upon 
the  minds  and  actions  of  our  men  by  the  Bibles,  books, 
and  tracts  3'ou  have  sent  us.  is  incalculable  ;  and,  to  my 
knowledge,  they  have  been  blessed  of  God  in  producing 
a  spirit  of  religious  inquiry  with  many  of  a  most  encour- 
aging character,  I  trust  you  and  Christian  friends  at 
home  will  continue  to  supply  all  our  soldiers  with  this 
means  of  grace,  which  is  so  well  adapted  to  our  spiritual 
wants,  and  can  be  diffused  among  us  as  perhaps  no  other 
can  so  etTectually." 

"A  soldier,"  he  says,  "came  to  express  his  thanks  for 
the  saving  influence  of  the  tracts  he  had  received  since 
being  in  camp.     He  believes  they  wore  sent  to   liiin   in 


SUMMKR    AND    AITIMN    OF    18(51.  lO;) 

answer  to  a  pious  mother's  prayers.  He  stated  tliut  lie- 
fore  leaving  liome  lie  felt  but  little  interest  in  religion, 
but  now  it  is  liis  deliglit  and  comfort. 

"  Another  soldier,  in  a  Mississippi  regiment,  writes 
that  the  tract,  '  Come  to  Jesus,'  has  been  the  means  of 
leading  him  to  Christ  since  being  in  Virginia." 

"Many  persons,"  says  a  writer  from  the  19th  Virginia 
regiment,  "  having  relatives  and  friends  in  the  army,  are 
concerned  about  the  religious  privileges  which  we  enjoy. 
A  brief  sketch  of  this  feature  of  camp  life  in  the  19th 
regiment  will  doubtless  be  gratifying  to  them.  Every 
night  the  voice  of  prayer  and  praise  is  heard  in  one  or 
more  of  the  tents,  and  on  the  Sabbath  mornings  and 
evenings  and  on  Wednesday  nights,  sermons  are  preached 
in  a  church  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  camp  by  the 
chaplain,  the  Rev.  P.  Slaughter,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Griffin.  The  interest  of  these  services  was  much  en- 
hanced on  last  Sunday  by  the  celebration  of  the  sacra- 
ments of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  by  the  ad- 
mission of  three  officers  to  their  first  communion.  Many 
hearty  prayers  were  offered  that  they  may  manfully  fight 
under  the  banner  of  the  Cross,  and  continue  Christ's 
faithful  soldiers  until  their  lives  end.  It  is  encouraging 
to  see  the  disposition  of  those  in  command  to  furnish  fa- 
cilities for  public  worship,  and  the  alacrity  of  the  me  a 
in  responding  to  every  call,  marching  to  church  some- 
times in  double  quick  time,  lest  they  should  fail  to  get 
seats.  Let  those  who  remain  in  their  pleasant  homes 
remember  the  soldier  in  the  tented  field.  He  needs  the 
grace  of  God  to  enable  him  to  bear  patiently  the  toils 
and  sufterings  of  the  campaign,  even  more  than  to  face 
the  enemy  in  the  field." 

Good  tidings  came  from  many  other  portions  of  the 
army.  Scenes  like  the  following  became  more  frequent 
every  week  : 

"For  more  than  a  week  a  revival  has  been  in  progress 
among  the  soldiers  stationed  at  Asiiland.     Services  are 


104  THE    GKEAT    ItEVIVAL, 

held  every  night  in  the  Baptist  church,  and  the  seats  set 
apart  for  the  anxious  are  frequently  well  nigh  filled  by 
the  soldiers,  who  are  asking  for  the  prayers  of  God's 
people.  Rev.  W.  E.  Hatcher,  of  Manchester,  preaches 
every  night.  At  Aquia  Creek  thirt}'  have  professed  con- 
version within  a  few  weeks,  a  number  of  whom  were  bap- 
tized in  the  Potomac  by  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Bagby,  a  chaplain. 
The  entire  regiment  with  which  the  converts  were  con- 
nected turned  out  to  witness  the  ceremony.  Our  inform- 
ant saj^s  he  has  never  looked  upon  a  more  lovely  and  im- 
pressive scene.  We  understand  that  a  protracted  meet- 
ing is  in  progress  in  Col.  Cary's  regiment,  and  that  Rev. 
Andrew  Broaddus,  of  Caroline,  is  officiating.  We  hear 
of  another  revival  in  which  twelve  soldiers  professed 
conversion,  five  of  wliom  united  with  the  Methodists, 
four  with  the  Baptists,  and  the  remainder  with  the 
Presbyterians.  The  religious  community  of  the  Confed- 
erate States  ought  to  feel  encouraged,  by  these  tokens  of 
the  Divine  power,  to  put  forth  still  greater  efforts  in  be- 
half of  the  spiritual  welfare  of  our  army.  Fully  one- 
third  of  the  soldiers  are  destitute  of  a  copy  of  the  New 
Testament,  and  of  all  other  religious  reading." 

From  Fairfax  Court-house  Rev.  J.  M.  Carlisle  wrote  to 
a  religious  paper  at  Richmond  : 

'*  As  chaplain  of  the  7th  regiment,  South  Carolina  Vol- 
unteers, I  desire  to  return  thanks  to  certain  unknown 
parties,  in  your  city,  for  a  donation  of  religious  books 
and  tracts,  forwarded  to  me  for  distribution  among  the 
soldiers.  They  were  gladly  received,  and  are  being  gen- 
erally read,  and  I  trust  will  be  a  positive  good.  May 
the  blessing  of  God  be  upon  those  whose  gift  they  are." 

These  brief  records  reveal  a  deep  sense  of  religious 
obligation,  and  much  zeal  and  prayer  among  our  soldiers, 
even  at  this  early  period  of  the  war. 

The  battles  which  occurred  during  the  time  of  which 
we  write  showed  the  purity  and  power  of  religion 
in   the  face  of  danger   and    death.      Shortly   after   the 


SUMMEIl    AND    AUTIJMN    OF    18G1.  H).') 

battle  of  Great  Bethel,  in  Virginia,  a  writer,  speaking 
ing  of  the  religious  influence  among  the  soldiers, 
said  : 

"  There  is  reason  to  hope  that  the  scene  of  the  late 
glorious  battle  below  Yorktown  was,  indeed,  a  '  Bethel,' 
the  'house  of  God,'  the  very  gate  of  heaven,  to  some  of 
the  brave,  but  previously  irreligious,  3'oung  men  engage^l 
in  it.  It  is  certainly  a  delightful  thought,  and  one  full 
of  encouragement  for  the  future  of  our  country,  that 
God  is  with  us,  not  only  in  the  sense  of  giving  victory 
to  our  arms,  but  also,  present  h;/  his  Hohj  Spirit,  impress- 
ing the  hearts  of  our  soldiers,  and  turning  their  thoughts 
to  himself  in  grateful  recognition  of  his  merciful  deal- 
ings with  them," 

During  this  battle  an  incident  occurred  of  a  deeply 
interesting  character.  Captain  John  Stewart  Walker, 
of  the  company  known  as  the  "Virginia  Life  Guard," 
was  ordered  by  the  Commanding  General  to  take  his 
men  from  the  front,  where  they  were  doing  good  service, 
to  the  flank  to  hold  in  check  a  heavy  force  of  the  enemy 
supposed  to  be  moving  in  that  direction.  On  reaching 
his  new  post  of  danger,  Captain  Walker  drew  up  his 
companj'  and  addressed  them  in  a  few  stirring  words. 
He  reminded  them  that  God  had  mercifully  preserved 
them  in  the  heat  of  battle,  and  that  they  were  now  called 
to  face  the  enemy  in  greater  numbers ;  that,  as  Chris- 
tians and  patriots,  they  should  resolve  to  do  their  whole 
duty  to  their  country ;  then,  kneeling  down,  he  called 
upon  a  ministei",  who  was  a  private  in  the  ranks,  to  offer 
prayer.  When  they  arose,  nearly  every  eye  was  suffused 
with  tears,  and  God  was  felt  to  be  present.  During  that 
day  of  battle  it  is  said  that  three  of  this  compan}'^  sought 
and  obtained  the  pardon  of  their  sins. 

The  religious  services  were  well  attended  by  the  troops 
stationed  at  Yorktown.  and  were  not  without  spiritual 
fruits.  The  Colonel  Hill  referred  to  in  the  following  ex- 
tract from  the  letter  of  a  soldier  was  afterwards  General 


106  THE    GREAT    RE^TN^AL. 

D.  H.  Hill,  a  soldier  of  the  Cross,  as  valiant  for  Christ 
as  he  was  for  his  country  : 

"AVe  had  two  sermons  yesterday ;  one  last  night  by 
Mr.  Page.  It  is  quite  romantic  to  see  four  or  five  hun- 
dred soldiers  gathered  under  trees ;  some  sitting  on 
camp  stools  or  the  ground,  others  standing,  while  the 
moon  comes  peeping  through  the  leaves,  shedding  light 
and  beauty  on  all  around.  Then,  when  the  li^'mn  is 
given  out,  to  hear  so  many  manly  voices  join  in  praise 
to  the  God  of  the  universe,  renders  the  service  very 
solemn  and  impressive.  This  is  truly  a  time  and  place 
to  cause  man  to  reflect  on  his  latter  end — not  knowing 
at  what  moment  he  raaj'^  be  hurried  into  eternity.  I  have 
heard  much  less  profane  swearing  since  Colonel  Hill  gave 
us  a  lecture  a  short  time  ago.  I  have  not  seen  a  man, 
no  matter  how  wicked,  but  acknowledged  that  the  God 
of  battles  was  with  us  and  shielded  us  in  the  hour  of 
danger." 

This  lecture  of  Col.  Hill  is  more  fully  described  by  an 
officer  writing  to  a  religious  paper  from  Yorktown ;  he 
says  : 

"  Yesterdaj'  was  emphatically  a  day  of  rest  to  us  all. 
We  had  onlj-^  to  undergo  an  inspection  of  arms  and  attend 
dress  parade  in  the  evening,  which  was  a  light  day's 
work.  At  night  we  had  a  good  sermon  from  Mr.  Yates, 
our  chaplain,  and  a  plenty  of  good  singing.  After  Mr. 
Yates  had  finished.  Col.  Hill  gave  us  a  fine  address,  full 
of  good  advice  and  counsel,  every  tvord  of  which  was  ex- 
actly fitted  to  his  hearers.  He  has  cut  off  all  spirits  of 
ever}'^  kind,  and  not  a  drop  is  to  be  had  in  camp ;  he  is 
down  on  profanity  ;  told  us  last  night  that  he  knew  many 
regarded  swearing  as  a  sort  of  necessity  attaching  to  a 
soldier ;  that  it  gave  emphasis  and  eclat  to  the  speech, 
but  he  said  no  greater  mistake  could  be  made  ;  that,  for 
his  part,  he  would  be  afraid  to  trust  to  the  courage  of 
the  man  who  had  to  bolster  it  up  with  whiskej^  and  pro- 
fanity.    The  God-fearing,  moral  soldier  was  the  man  to 


SUMMER   AND    AUTUMN    OF    18GL  107 

depend  on.  He  spoke  of  AVashington,  Cromwell,  and 
others  of  like  caste  ;  said  they  are  the  men  to  be  suc- 
cessful ;  that  the  enemy  seldom  saw  the  back's  of  such 
men.  He  told  us  that  tliree  times  since  we  had  been  in 
this  camp,  the  long  role  had  sounded,  and  we  had 
promptly  answered,  expecting  in  a  few  hours  to  meet 
the  enemy  and  risk  our  chances  of  success.  He  said  he 
would,  however,  venture  to  say,  that  under  these  circum- 
stances many  of  us  had  called  upon  God  for  help,  who 
had  neglected  to  do  so  while  they  felt  secure.  He  appealed 
to  them  to  know  if,  as  soldiers  and  fair  men,  this  was 
reasonable  and  proper.  He  appealed  to  the  moral  men 
in  camp  to  let  their  influence  be  felt ;  said  that  a  few 
might  deride  them  at  first,  but  they  would  be  few,  and  if 
these  men  did  their  duty  in  all  the  varied  scenes  of  camp 
life,  these  scoffers  would  see  it,  and  soon  hang  their 
heads  in  shame.  Thus  he  went  on  for  half  an  hour ;  not 
a  man  left  his  place,  not  a  word  was  said,  and  save  the 
constant  coughing  of  the  sick,  we  had  perfect  silence. 
I  confess  this  will  give  you  but  a  poor  idea  of  the  best 
speech  I  ever  heard,  taking  the  time,  place,  and  circum- 
stances, into  consideration," 

The  battle  of  Manassas,  on  the  21st,  and  the  prelimi- 
nary fight  at  Blackburn's  Ford,  on  the  18th  of  July,  were 
both  marked  by  striking  instances  of  Christian  heroism 
and  devotion.  The  peaceful  and  often  triumphant  deaths 
of  pious  officers  and  men  had  a  powerful  influence  for 
good  on  the  hearts  of  careless  and  irreligious  persons. 
*'  I  have  known  many  noble  specimens  of  the  Christian 
soldier,"  said  Rev.  Dr.  John  C.  Granbery,  then  chap- 
lain of  the  11th  Virginia  regiment,  afterwards  Superin- 
tenent  of  Methodist  missionaries  in  Gen.  Lee's  army, 
whom  the  soldiers  will  never  forget  on  account  of  his 
zeal  and  faithfulness ;  "  I  shall  never  cease  to  remem- 
ber with  admiration  one  of  the  earliest  victims  of  this 
war.  Major  Carter  Harrison,  of  the  11th  Virginia.  He 
was  an  earnest  servant  of  Christ ;  modest,  firm,  unosteu- 


108  THE   GUEAT    UEVIVAL. 

tatious,  zealous.  He  seized  at  once  the  hearts  of  tlie 
regiment  by  his  many  virtues,  b}'  his  courtesy  to  all  and 
his  kind  visits  to  the  sick,  to  whom  he  bore  a  word  not 
only  of  sympathy,  but  also  of  pious  exhortation.  On 
the  lovely  morning  of  July  18th,  as  we  awaited  the  ad- 
vance of  the  enem}'  and  the  opening  of  our  first  battle, 
our  conversation  was  on  sacred  things.  In  a  few  hours 
he  was  mortally  wounded,  and  until  midnight  endured 
untold  agony ;  but  in  his  soul  was  the  peace  of  God,  and 
all  was  patiently  borne  for  the  sake  of  God  and  country. 
He  was  ready  to  be  otfered  up,  and  to  leave  even  his 
loved  family,  at  the  call  of  dut3^  I  had  a  conversation 
with  him ;  he  spoke  of  his  faith  in  Providence,  and  the 
answers  to  praj'er  which  he  daily  received.  I  questioned 
him  concerning  the  state  of  his  mind  at  the  time.  He 
replied  that  it  did  not  rest  on  an}-  subject,  but  now 
thought  of  a  military  order,  and  then  of  a  Scriptural 
promise ;  now  of  his  country,  and  then  of  his  family ; 
and  often  arose  in  a  hoi}'  ejaculation  to  God.  His  flesh 
rests  in  hope  ;  his  spirit  rose  to  God." 

"  I  recall,"'  saj's  Dr.  Granbury,  "  an  interview  with  the 
sweet-spirited  and  gallant  Captain  James  K.  Lee,  of 
Kichmond,  Va.  '  How  glad  I  am,'  said  he  as  he  gave  me 
a  cordial  grasp,  '  to  shake  the  hand  of  a  brother  in 
Christ !'  I  referred  with  sympathy  to  his  intense  suffer- 
ings. With  emphasis  he  answered,  'Oh,  they  are  nothing 
to  the  sufferings  which  Jesus  bore  for  me  !'  In  a  few 
days  he  too  was  in  the  bosom  of  his  Father." 

On  Sunday,  July  21,  1861,  was  fought  the  first  battle 
of  Manassas.  '•  As  the  first  gun  was  fired,"  sa^'^s  the 
same  writer,  '•  a  few  minutes  after  7  A.  M.,  I  mounted 
my  horse  and  hastened  from  the  Junction  to  our  regi- 
ment, still  stationed  at  Blackburn's  Ford.  On  my  way 
I  met  several  regiments,  some  of  them  Mississippians, 
moving  from  that  Ford  to  some  other  part  of  the  line  of 
action.  I  hailed  them  as  they  passed  :  'Virginia's  salu- 
tation to  her  sister  Mississippi !     Let  each  State  of  the 


SUMMKR    AND    AUTUMN    OF    18G1.  109 

Southern  Confederacy  cover  herself  with  glory,  and  pour 
a  common  glory  on  the  cause  of  the  united  South  to-day. 
God  bless  you,  friends.  Commit  your  souls  and  the 
righteous  cause  you  uphold  to  him.'  Rev.  Dr.  Bocock 
was  with  me,  and  addressed  them  in  a  similar  strain.  I 
cannot  tell  much  of  this  day's  work.  The  hard  fighting 
was  on  our  left,  and  we  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  take 
quietl}^  the  cannonading  of  the  enemy.  Being  a  non- 
combatant,  I  was  not  exposed,  but  I  sat  beneath  a  hill 
by  a  wounded  soldier  and  read  to  him  the  13th  and  14th 
chapters  of  John."  Of  his  feelings  in  this  first  battle  he 
says  : 

"I  sat  down  by  Captain  Rev.  F.  J.  Boggs,  and  we  con- 
versed about  tlie  strange  manner  in  which  we  were  spend- 
ing the  Sabbath.  He  wore  a  determined  but  anxious 
face.  His  company  had  been  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight 
on  Thursday,  and  acted  nobly.  He  spoke  of  the  souls 
now  being  sent  into  eternity,  and  of  the  hard  conflict 
raging  above  us,  whose  guns  were  incessantly  roaring  in 
our  ears,  whose  issue,  was  so  doubtful.  We  watched  the 
bombs  as  they  exploded  in  quick  succession  over  the 
spot  which  his  regiment  had  left  a  few  minutes  before. 
So  moved  on  the  hours.  Our  men  had  eaten  not  a 
mouthful  all  day.  At  length  our  suspense  is  broken  by 
a  loud  cheering.  Down,  down  the  Run,  from  left  to 
right,  flew  the  shouting,  taken  up  b}'  successive  regi- 
ments. Here  comes  Gen.  M.,  with  an  intensely  excited 
countenance.  '  What  means  that  shouting  ?'  he  asks. 
'  The  enemy  flee,  and  the  day  is  ours,'  we  replied,  for  so 
we  interpreted.  'Are  3'ou  sure  that  the  cheers  are  on 
our  side  ?'  '  I  will  run  to  the  South  Carolinians  and  en- 
quire,' I  replied.  So  off  I  hasted,  and  got  to  them  just 
in  time  to  see  the  two  last  companies  form  and  march  in 
pursuit  of  the  routed  foe.  Then  we  took  up  the  cheer- 
ing, and  fell  in  the  pursuit.  I  trust  that  many  hearts 
went  up  that  hour  in  gratitude  to  the  God  of  battles." 

Many  noble  sacrifices  were  laid  on  the  altar  in  this 
5a 


110  TIIK    (iRK.\T    ItKVIVAL. 

battle.  Generals  Bee  and  Bartow,  Col.  Egbert  Jones,  of 
the  4th  Ala])araa,  Col.  Johnson,  of  South  Carolina,  and 
a  host  of  other  noble  patriots,  laid  down  their  lives  for 
the  cause  of  the  South.  A  young  Georgian  of  Bartow's 
brigade  said,  as  he  lay  dying  on  this  bloody  field :  "  I 
will  go  up  and  make  my  report  to  the  Almighty  as  to 
the  Commander-in-Chief  of  all.  I  will  tell  him  I  have 
been  a  faithful  soldier  and  a  dutiful  son,  though  an  un- 
faithful servant  of  God ;  nevertheless,  my  fearless  trust 
is  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  Saviour  of  men."  Rev.  C.  W. 
Howard,  who  commanded  a  company  in  the  famous  8th 
Georgia,  here  fell  a  martyr  to  the  cause.  He  was  killed 
in  the  grove  where  the  8th  Georgia  was  lirst  engaged. 
"  He  stepped  in  front  of  his  com2:)an3%  and  was  in  tlie 
act  of  dressing  his  line,  which  threw  his  back  to  the 
enemy,  when  a  ball  entered  his  head,  rather  in  the  rear, 
passing  through  his  brain  and  out  near  the  temple  on 
the  opposite  side.  He  fell  dead  instantly."  And  thus 
hundreds  of  Christian  men  gladly  yielded  up  their  lives, 
cheered  and  sustained  bj'-  the  glorious  hope  of  a  better 
life  in  heaven. 

Wliile  this  battle  was  raging  the  earnest  prayers  of 
the  Southern  people  were  ascending  to  God  for  his  pro- 
tection to  our  soldiers  and  his  blessing  on  their  arms. 
A  remarkftble  answer  to  prayer  is  recorded  in  reference 
to  a  company  from  Georgia.  "  A  prayer-meeting  was 
held  at  Atkinson's  church,  in  Oglethorpe  county,  in  that 
State,  to  pray  for  the  safety  of  the  Ogletiiorpe  Rifles, 
who  went  from  that  neigliborhood.  The  prayers  were 
ascending  in  their  behalf  while  the  battle  was  raging, 
and  they  were  mingling  in  the  tornado  of  shells  and 
bullets  which  mowed  the  gallant  8th  Georgia  regiment, 
of  which  they  composed  a  part ;  and  yet,  of  all  the  com- 
panies engaged,  this  alone  showed  from  the  record,  '  none 
killed:  " 

Those  who  recall  the  prevailing  sentiments  of  our 
people  at  this  period  will  recognize  the  following  lan^ 


SUMMER   AND    AUTUMN    OF    1861.  Ill 

guage  of  two  leading  religious  journals  as  expressing 
their  firm  trust  in  God  and  their  deep  gratitude  for  his 
great  mercies  : 

"  The  Southern  people  are  humble  in  their  joy,  and 
3'et  are  not  ashamed  of  their  sorrows  over  the  noble 
dead.  We  do  not  tremble  at  our  loss,  though  in  undis- 
guised grief  we  weep  by  the  graves  of  the  brave  soldiers 
wlio  fell  in  the  fight.  The  sacrifices  which  we  have  laid 
on  the  altar  of  our  country  are  not  the  blemished  of  the 
flock.  The  Lord  has  asked  of  us  the  young,  the  brave, 
and  the  lovely ;  and  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  Israel 
have  brought  forth  the  first  born  and  said,  with  unwa- 
vering faith  in  God,  as  the  young  men  went  to  the  field, 
'  Let  the  will  of  the  Lord  be  done  !'  Though  '  we  sing 
the  songs  of  woe,  let  the  right  prevail.'  But  the  grief 
of  noble.  Christian  suffering  is  not  without  its  hallowing 
influence,  and  '  liehold,  we  count  them  happj''  which  en- 
dure.' " 

From  the  "  Old  North  State,"  whose  sons  nobly  bore 
their  part  in  this  battle,  came  these  fervent  utterances  : 

"It  is  with  deep  emotion  that  we  refer  to  the  news 
from  the  seat  of  war  in  Virginia.  God  has  favored  our 
cause.  The  skill  of  our  commanders  and  the  bravery  of 
our  soldiers  have  been  crowned  with  splendid  success. 
Let  the  nation  bow  before  God  in  humble  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  mercy.  Let  the  hearts  of  the  people  be 
filled  with  his  praise. 

"  But  our  joy  must  be  mingled  with  grief.  Hundreds, 
it  may  be  thousands,  of  our  noble  soldiers  have  fallen 
in  these  terrible  conflicts.  The  homes  left  by  them  so 
lately  are  desolate  ;  and  the  wail  of  the  widow  and  the 
orphan  is  heard  through  the  land.  God  comfort  and 
sustain  them  under  their  sore  bereavements.  The  sym- 
pathy and  gratitude  of  their  country  will  never  cease  to 
attend  them." 

Among  the  gallant  men  from  that  State  who  fell  was 
young  Lieutenant  Mangum,  the  only  son  of  his  honored 


112  THE   GREAT    llEVIVAL. 

father.  Fighting  in  the  6th  regiment  of  North  Carolina, 
he  was  mortally  wounded  near  the  close  of  the  stru<rgle. 
"When  he  was  dying,"  said  a  friend,  "he  reposed  a 
beautiful  trust  in  his  Saviour  and  spoke  sentences  whose 
echoes  would  awake  the  melody  of  thanksgiving  and 
gladness  in  the  harps  of  earth  and  the  harps  of  glory. 
Between  these  hallowed  utterances  he  asked  a  friend, 
'Do  3^ou  think  I  haA^e  accomplished  anything  for  my 
country?  As  I  only  had  my  sword  instead  of  a  musket, 
I  fear  I  did  but  little  in  the  fight.'  Instead  of  remorse 
for  having  defended  an  unrighteous  cause,  he  only  be- 
wailed the  conviction  that,  falling  in  the  firs',  conflict,  he 
had  done  so  little  for  a  cause  that  he  honestly  esteemed 
worthy  of  the  sacrifice  of  life  itself.  It  was  a  matter  of 
high,  patriotic  principle  with  him,  and  he  was  so  .just  in 
it  as  to  be  unshaken  and  complacent  in  the  tremendous 
entrance  into  the  presence  of  Almighty  God." 

The  feeling  of  dependence  on  God  pervaded  all  classes. 
When  the  great  victory  was  announced  in  the  Confede- 
rate Congress,  a  Christian  statesman  from  South  Caro- 
lina arose  in  his  place  and  offered  the  following : 

•'  1.  Resolved,  That  we  recognize  the  hand  of  the  Most 
High  God,  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords,  in  the 
glorious  victory  with  which  he  hath  crowned  our  arms  at 
Manassas,  and  that  the  people  of  these  Confederate 
States  are  invited  by  appropriate  services  on  the  ensu- 
ing Sabbath  to  offer  up  their  united  thanksgiving  and 
praise  for  the  mighty  deliverance. 

"2.  Resolved,  That,  deeply  deploring  the  necessity 
which  has  washed  the  soil  of  our  country  with  the  blood 
of  so  many  of  her  noblest  sons,  we  offer  to  their  respec- 
tive families  and  fiiends  our  warmest  and  most  cordial 
sympathy,  assuring  them  that  the  sacrifice  made  will  be 
concentrated  in  the  hearts  of  our  people,  and  will  there 
enshrine  the  names  of  the  gallant  dead  as  the  champions 
of  free  and  constitutional  government." 

By  all  the  day  was  felt  to  be  one  of  "  prayer,  of  praise. 


SF-MMER    AND    AX:TUMX    OK    ISGI.  113 

o 

of  action,  of  heroism,"  and  the  richest  offerings  were 
freely  laid  on  the  altars  of  the  South.  The  desire  for 
liberty  had  not  then  j'iclded  to  the  desire  for  gain ;  and 
the  patriotic  fervor  of  the  people  had  not  yet  felt  the  be- 
numbing touch  of  Mammon.  Worldly  men  and  Chris- 
tian men  aliive  acknowledged  the  hand  Divine,  and  the 
season  was  well  adapted  to  the  scattering  of  the  "pre- 
cious seed"  of  life.  , 

Many  incidents  of  the  battle  were  fraught  with  sol- 
emn lessons,  and  deep  and  lasting  were  the  impressions 
made  amidst  the  ghastl}^  sights  of  war.  Just  after  the 
battle  a  soldier  wrote  : 

"I  can't  realize  myself  in  'the  pomp  and  circumstance 
of  war.'  But,  great  God,  what  have  I  seen — the  wounded, 
the  dead,  and  the  dying.  You  can  possibly  imagine  my 
first  feelings,  though  thej''  were  Yankees,  when  I  looked 
upon  them — some  shot  through  the  head,  some  with  legs 
and  arms  broken,  some  through  the  stomach,  and,  in 
fact,  all  over ;  and  to  hear  their  moaning  and  their  groan- 
ings,  and  I  thought,  '  Is  this  war !'  " 

A  gentleman  from  the  far  South,  who  came,  like 
scores  of  others,  to.  look  after  "the  dear  boys,"  describes 
the  following  touching  scene  : 

"  We  were  straggling  over  the  battle-field,  examining 
the  ground  upon  which  we  had  such  a  bloody  conflict  and 
won  sucli  a  glorious  victory  two  days  before.  We  came 
unexpected!}^  into  the  Centreville  road,  and  seeing  a  house 
upon  our  left  with  the  usual  signs  betokening  a  hospital, 
one  of  our  party  being  a  physician,  expressed  a  wish  to 
get  down  and  examine  the  wounded.  Upon  inquiry  we 
learned  that  a  stable  just  below  the  house  contained  thir- 
teen wounded  Yankees ;  we  forthwith  proceeded  to  the 
stable,  and  upon  entering  found  a  Washington  Artillery- 
man seated  by  the  side  of  a  wounded  soldier,  evidently 
ministering  to  him  with  great  care  and  tenderness.  I  in- 
troduced myself  to  him,  and  asked  if  he  aided  in  working 
the  battery  which  fought  with  the  1st  Virginia  brigade. 


114  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

He  told  me  he  did  not — he  had  fought  in  a  battery  lower 
down,  and  then  remarked  '  that  it  was  ver}'  hard  to  fight 
as  he  Iiad  fought,  and  turn  and  find  his  oivn  brother  fight- 
ing against  iiim,'  at  the  same  time  pointing  to  the 
wounded  soldier  from  whose  side  he  had  just  arisen.  I 
asked  if  it  was  possible  that  was  his  brother.  '  Yes,  sir, 
he  is  my  brother  Henry.  The  same  mother  bore  us — the 
same  mother  ^nursed  us.  We  meet  the  first  time  for 
seven  years.  I  belong  to  the  Washington  Artillerj-,  from 
New  Orleans — he  to  the  1st  Minnesota  Infantry.  By 
the  merest  chance  I  learned  he  was  here  wounded,  and 
sought  him  out  to  nurse  and  attend  him.'  Thus  they 
met — one  from  the  far  Nortii,  the  other  from  the  extreme 
South — on  a  bloody  field  in  Virginia — in  a  miserable 
stable,  far  away  from  their  mother,  home,  and  friends — 
both  wounded — the  infantryman  by  a  musket  ball  in  the 
right  shoulder,  the  artillerj^maii  by  the  wheel  of  a  caisson 
over  his  left  hand.  Thus  they  met  after  an  absence  of 
seven  years.  Their  names  are  Frederick  Hubbard,  Wash- 
ington Artillery,  and  Henry  Hubbard,  1st  Minnesota  In- 
i'antry.  We  met  a  surgeon  of  one  of  tlie  Alabama  regi- 
ments and  related  the  case  to  him,  and  requested,  for  the 
sake  of  the  artilleryman,  that  his  brother  might  be  cared 
for.  He  immediately  examined  and  dressed  his  wounds, 
and  sent  otf  in  haste  for  an  ambulance  to  take  the 
wounded  'Yankee'  to  his  own  regimental  hospital." 

Alas  !  that  our  country  shoukl  ever  have  been  visited 
by  a  war  in  which  brotlier  was  often  thus  arrayed  against 
brother.  Another  sad  incident  of  the  same  kind  was  re- 
lated by  the  Hon.  Lewis  D.  Campbell,  of  Ohio  : 

"  I  had  two  brothers  in  the  war ;  one  in  the  Confede- 
rate army  in  Texas,  and  the  other  in  the  Union  army. 
They  were  sons  of  one  who,  at  the  age  of  seventeen, 
fought  at  the  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs.  One  of  my  bro- 
thers, at  the  head  of  a  regiment  of  Texans.  fell  in  Lou- 
isiana, and  the  other,  at  the  head  of  a  Union  regiment, 
fell  at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.     And  the  news  of 


SU>nrEH  AND   AUTUMN   OF    18G1.  115 

the  death  of  both  of  these— one  on  the  one  side  and  the 
other — reached  their  afflicted  mother  on  the  same  day." 
This  peculiar  horror  of  civil  war  a  poet  has  pictured 
but  too  truly  in  the  following  lines  from  an  English  peri- 
odical : 

BELLUM  CIVILE. 
"  Rifleman,  shoot  me  a  fancy  shot 

Straight  at  the  heart  of  you  piowling  vidette  ; 
Ring  me  a  ball  in  the  glittering  spot 

That  shines  on  his  breast  like  an  amulet !" 

"  Ay,  Captain  1  here  goes  for  a  tine  drawn  bead, 

There's  music  around  when  my  barrel's  in  tune  1" 
Crack  !  went  the  rifle,  the  messenger  sped 

And  dead  from  his  horse  fell  the  ringing  dragoon. 

"  Now,  rifleman,  steal  through  tlie  bushes  and  snatch 
From  your  victim  some  trinket  to  hansel  first  blood  ; 
A  button,  or  loop,  or  that  luminous  patch 
That  gleams  in  the  moon  like  a  diamond  stud  !" 

"  Oh,  Captain,  I  staggered  and  sunk  in  my  track, 
When  I  gazed  on  the  face  of  the  fallen  vidette  ; 
For  he  looked  so  like  you,  as  he  lay  on  his  back, 
Tliat  my  heart  rose  upon  me,  and  masters  me  yet. 

"  But  I  snatched  oft"  the  trinket— this  locket  of  gold, 
An  inch  from  the  centre  my  lead  broke  its  way, 
Scarce  grazing  tiie  picture,  so  fair  to  behold, 
Of  a  beautiful  lady  in  briilal  array." 

"  Ha  !  rifleman,  fling  me  the  locket !— 'tis  she. 

My  brother's  young  bride— and  the  fallen  dragoon 
Was  her  husband— Husli  !  soldier,  'twas  heaven's  decree; 
We  must  bury  him,  there,  by  tlie  light  of  the  moon. 

"  But,  hark  !  the  bugles  their  warnings  unite  ; 
War  is  a  virtue — weakness  a  sin  ; 
"There's  hirking  and  looping  around  us  to-night ; 
Load  again,  ritleman,  keep  your  hand  in  !" 

During  the  autumn  of  this  year  (1861)  the  religious 
influence  among  the  soldiers  gradually  increased.  Tlie 
appeals  from  tlie  army  for  tracts,  books,  and   for  more 


116  THE    GREAT    UE^^VAL. 

preachers,  were  earnest  and  importunate.  Even  the 
secular  papers  were  urged  to  lend  their  aid  to  the  work 
by  calling  the  attention  of  the  Churches  to  the  moral 
wants  of  the  soldiers. 

A  soldier  wrote  from  the  array  to  the  Richmond  Ex- 
aminer in  the  following  strain  : 

"  There  are  at  present  in  your  noble  State  about  three 
hundred  thousand  men  '  armed  in  the  holy  cause  of  lib- 
erty.' These  men  are  far  from  their  homes  and  the  sweet 
influences  which  are  there  brought  to  bear  upon  them  to 
restrain  them  from  sin.  Many  of  these  men,  howeter, 
are  more  serious  and  solemn,  and  inclined  to  seek  to 
know  their  Saviour,  than  at  any  other  time.  The  thoughts 
of  their  happy  homes  and  dear  friends  far  away,  both  in 
this  State  and  the  far  sunn}'  South,  will  often  act  as  a 
check  to  any  vicious  course  to  which  their  inclinations 
may  lead  them.  What  I  propose,  sir,  is  that  you  write 
one  of  your  very  powerful  articles,  urging  ministers  of 
the  gospel  and  chaplains  in  the  army  to  put  forth  their 
utmost  strength  for  the  conversion  of  soldiers.  What  a 
grand  moral  spectacle  would  be  presented  to  the  world, 
of  any  arm}'  being  converted  ?  What  grandeur  would  it 
not  lend  to  our  cause  ?  With  how  much  more  courage 
will  truh'^  brave  men  go  into  danger,  when  the}'  know 
that  the  messenger  of  death  is  but  God's  angel  to  call 
them  home.  And  then,  when  this  'grand  army'  disbands, 
and  the  various  regiments  return  to  their  several  States, 
how  much  will  it  tend  to  unite  us  more  and  more  in  the 
bonds  of  unselfish  love  for  the  rising  and  brave  genera- 
tion that  will  soon  turn  from  the  field  of  strife  to  the 
arena  of  tlie  political  world,  to  go  there  with  hearts  full 
of  love  to  God,  and  with  the  highest  and  most  religious 
sense  of  honor  towards  their  fellow-men." 

Every  new  regiment  that  went  to  the  army  had  some 
token  of  the  deep  concern  felt  by  the  "  home  folks"'  for 
its  religious  welfare.  When  the  7th  regiment  of  South 
Carolina  was  about  to  leave  home  for  the  seat  of  war. 


SUJmER   AND    ALTUMN    OF    1861.  117 

the  colored  members  of  the  Methodist  Churcii  in  the 
town  of  Aiken  presented  to  the  chaplain,  Rev.  J.  M. 
Carlisle,  '  a  magnificent  copy  of  the  Word  of  God  for 
the  use  of  the  regiment.'  After  reaching  Virginia,  the 
chaplain  wrote :  "  Our  regiment  is  doing  well.  I  try 
to  preach  on  the  Sabbath — usually  twice.  We  have  also 
a  regimental  prayer-meeting  every  evening  at  twilight. 
Upon  these  services  there  is  usually  a  good  attendance, 
and  a  serious  attention  that  is  very  gratifying.  Ask  for 
us  the  prayers  of  all." 

Among  the  troops  that  were  stationed  in  the  vicinity 
of  Leesburg,  Va.,  there  was  a  fine  state  of  religious  feel- 
ing. In  the  17th  Mississippi  regiment,  one  of  the  most 
gallant  in  the  army,  there  was  a  deep  concern.  Prayer- 
meetings  were  held  in  their  camp  every  evening,  a  num- 
ber professed  conversion,  and  the  good  work  increased 
in  depth  and  power.  The  Christians  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  camp  were  urged  to  join  the  soldiers  in  their  meet- 
ings. Many  did  so,  and  the  people  learned  that  the 
Lord  of  Hosts  was  in  the  midst  of  their  brave  defenders. 

A  true  moral  courage  was  requisite,  in  this  early  pe- 
riod of  the  war,  for  every  old  believer  and  every  new 
convert.  The  camps,  it  is  true,  were  almost  filled  with 
vice  ;  swearing,  gambling,  and  drunkenness,  abounded, 
and  one  might  have  supposed  that  all  were  leagued 
against  religion ;  but  in  the  midst  of  all  this  many  were 
found  earnestly  seeking  light  from  God's  Holy  Word. 

That  high  moral  courage  that  resolves  to  do  right  in 
the  very  midst  of  wrong  tells  powerfully  on  young  men 
at  College,  and  on  soldiers  in  an  army.  In  that  charm- 
ing book  for  boys,  "  Tom  Brown  at  Rugby,"  there  is  a 
fine  illustration  of  moral  courage.  A  large  number  of 
boys  slept  in  the  same  room,  and  Tom  Brown,  though 
brought  up  to  pray,  was  afraid  to  kneel  down  before  his 
schoolmates,  and  went  to  bed  every  night  without  praj^er. 
But  a  timid  little  fellow  came  to  the  school,  whom  every- 
body was  disposed  to  call  a  "  milk  sop,"  and  on  the  very 


118  THE    GREAT   KEVIV^VL. 

first  night,  while  all  others  were  laughing  and  talking 
about  him,  he  fell  on  his  knees  devoutly  to  pra3^  His 
bold  example  soon  had  many  imitators. 

"The  religious  soldiers  at  a  military  station  in  India," 
says  an  English  missionary,  "  greatly  enjoyed  themselves 
:it  the  union  prayer-meetings,  but  none  of  them  at  first 
had  courage  to  kneel  down  and  pray  in  the  presence  of 
tlieir  wicked  comrades  before  going  to  be(i.  One  man 
told  me  that  he  was  in  the  habit  of  waiting  until  all  the 
lamps  were  put  out.  and  then  kneeling  down  in  the  dark. 
But  after  a  while,  he  said,  his  comrades  began  to  suspect 
him.  So  they  challenged  him  one  night,  and  a  number 
gathering  round,  swore  they  would  not  go  to  bed  nor  put 
out  the  light  until  he  did.  He  told  them  he  was  a  pray- 
ing man,  and  that  he  would  pray  whether  they  put  out 
the  light  or  not.  This,  he  said,  was  the  signal  for  a  gene- 
ral hurrah,  and  storm  of  oaths ;  and  that  when  he  knelt 
down  they  kept  up  a  bellowing  and  mocking,  throwing 
their  boots  at  him,  and  hitting  him  with  balls  of  dough, 
until  he  had  finished.  He  continued,  however,  night 
after  night,  and  at  last  they  ceased  to  scoff  and  left  him 
in  peace." 

Such  scenes  were  seldom,  if  ever,  witnessed  in  our 
armies  ;  but  still  there  were  many  occasions  on  which  a 
soldier's  religion  was  put  to  as  severe  a  test.  Scenes 
like  the  following  are  much  more  interesting  to  contem- 
plate : 

"Many  a  time,"  says  a  pious  colporteur,  "officers  and 
privates,  who  make  no  profession  of  religion,  have  gath- 
ered around  me  at  night,  listened  with  undisguised  plea- 
sure to  the  reading  of  God's  Word,  and  joined  in  the 
sweet  songs  of  Zion,  until  the  forests  rang  again  with 
their  grateful  peans.  I  have  never  once  been  unkind- 
ly turned  away  by  soldiers,  but  their  universal  polite- 
ness and  gratitude  have  removed  any  fear  of  intrusion 
when  I  would  approach.  Parties  playing  cards  have 
frequently  broken  off  their  games,  and  scattered  to  read 


SUMJIKII    AND    AUTUMN    OF    1861.  119 

my  good  tracts,  while  others  engaged  in  rude  jesting  or 
rchiting  wicked  anecdotes  have  thanked  me  cordially  for 
the  interest  I  took  in  them,  and  the  good  reading  I  trou- 
bled myself  to  bring  them.  I  have  had  oilicers  and  men 
to  hail  me,  and  run  from  a  distance,  to  get  as  man}^  of 
the  •  silent  preachers'  as  I  could  spare,  pressing  me  to 
visit  their  regiments." 


120  THE  GREAT  REVIVAL. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
WINTER    OF    1861-'62. 

The  stationary  condition  of  the  armies  during  most  of 
the  winter  gave  the  chaplains,  and  other  pious  laborers, 
fine  opportunities  for  pressing  religion  on  the  attention 
of  the  soldiers. 

Along  the  Potomac,  where  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia lay  for  the  autumn  and  early  part  of  the  winter, 
religious  services  were  held  with  encouraging  signs. 
Rev.  Joseph  Cross,  D.  D.,  chaplain  of  the  Walker  Le- 
gion from  Tennessee,  writing  of  his  laboi'S,  says : 

"  It  is  interesting  to  see  how  tlie}'  flock  to  our  nightly 
prayer-meetings,  frequently  in  greater  numbers  than 
your  Sabbath  congregations  in  some  of  your  city  church- 
es. I  preach  to  them  twice  on  the  Lord's  da}^  seated 
around  me  on  the  ground,  officers  and  men,  in  the  most 
primitive  order  you  can  imagine.  But  the  most  interest- 
ing, probably  the  most  useful,  part  of  my  work  is  the 
visitation  of  the  sick.  Every  morning  I  go  to  the  hos- 
pital, visiting  the  several  apartments  successively ;  in 
each  of  which  I  talk  privately  with  the  men,  then  read  a 
passage  of  Holy  Scripture,  make  some  remarks  npon  it, 
and  finish  with  prayer.  However  wicked  and  tliought- 
less  the}^  are  in  camp,  they  are  all  glad  to  see  the  chap- 
lain when  they  are  sick  ;  and  I  have  yet  to  meet  with  the 
first  instance  of  any  other  than  the  most  respectful  and 
reverent  attention.  I  think  I  never  occupied  a  field  tliat 
afforded  an  equal  opportunit}^  for  usefulness." 

The  soldiers  eagerly  read  everything  that  was  put  in 
their  hands  in  the  camp  ;  and  often  sent  appeals  like  the 
following,  accompanied  with  a  donation  taken  out  of 
their  scanty  pay  : 


WINTER    OF    1861-62.  121 

"The  soldiers  here  (in  Western  Virginia)  are  starvmq 
for  reading  matter.  They  will  read  anything.  I  fre- 
quently see  a  piece  of  newspaper,  no  larger  than  my 
hand,  going  the  rounds  among  them.  If  the  bread  of 
life  were  now  offered  them  through  the  printed  page, 
how  readily  they  might  be  led  to  Christ."  From  Cul- 
peper  Court-house  a  pious  lad}'  wrote  of  her  labors 
among  the  sick  and  wounded  :  "  The  poor  soldiers  here 
are  really  begging  for  something  to  read.  This  is  true 
especially  of  the  wounded.  Praj'  that  the  divine  bless- 
ing may  be  bestowed  on  these  afflicted  ones,  and  that  I 
may  be  a  blessing  to  them.  There  is  nothing  I  desire 
so  much  as  by  nursing  to  do  good  to  those  who  have 
given  up  all  for  their  country.  There  is  great  room  for 
usefulness  opened  to  pious  friends  now  in  ministering  to 
the  wants  of  our  sick  soldiers."  And  never  did  Chris- 
tian women  more  nobly  discharge  their  duties  to  the  suf- 
fering. Our  war  brought  out  from  the  sweet  retirement 
of  home,  and  into  the  midst  of  agony  and  death,  not 
one,  but  a  thousand  Florence  Nightingales. 

"  It  is  trul}'  gratifying,"  wrote  a  chaplain,  "  to  see  the 
eagerness  manifested  by  the  soldiers  to  get  a  Testament. 
While  we  are  in  camp,  we  are  deprived,  to  a  great  de- 
gree, of  the  comforts  of  home  and  the  advantages  of 
the  family  library ;  and  while  we  earnestlj^  seek  for  a 
book  to  read,  what  a  blessing  that  the  Bible  can  be  ob- 
tained, which  is  a  library  in  itself! 

''Maj''  God  bless  all  who  aid  in  any  way  to  send  the 
Bible  or  other  religious  books  to  the  soldiers.  To  one 
outside  of  the  army  there  can  be  no  proper  estimate  of 
the  value  placed  upon  the  Word  of  God  by  the  soldiers. 
In  perusing  it,  his  thoughts  go  back  to  the  kind  instruc- 
tion received  around  the  paternal  hearthstone.  We  had 
the  pleasure  of  knowing  that  in  one  instance,  at  least, 
these  books  were  instrumental  of  good.  A  3'oung  man 
of  our  regiment,  when  told  that  he  must  die,  and  who 
had  carefullv  attended  to  the  reading  of  his  Testament, 
6 


122  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

said,  'I  had  thought  until  this  morning  that  I  would 
again  be  permitted  to  see  my  dear  mother,  but  I  know  I 
shall  never  see  her  in  the  flesh ;  tell  her  I  cannot  go  to 
her,  but  she  can  come  to  me ;  I  am  djing  in  the  arms  of 
Jesus,  m}'  Redeemer,  and  will  welcome  her  on  the  shores 
of  a  better  land.'  " 

Another  chaplain  wrote  from  Evansport  on  the  Po- 
tomac : 

"  I  spent  all  Christmas  with  our  men,  and  I  am  sure  I 
never  spent  it  more  agreeably.  Some  of  our  men  wished 
to  visit  their  old  friends  in  a  neighboring  regiment,  but 
would  not  do  so  on  account  of  the  drunkenness  and  pro- 
fanity going  on  in  their  midst.  I  know  the  mother  of 
one  of  the  young  men,  and  I  hope  to  return  to  Georgia 
when  the  war  is  over  and  tell  her  how  Charlie  looked  as 
I  met  him  returning  to  his  camp,  unwilling  to  risk  him- 
self among  them.  We  are  considered  the  most  moral, 
best  behaved  regiment  connected  with  this  part  of  the 
army. 

"This,  of  course,  speaks  louder  and  longer  than  vic- 
tories on  the  battle-field,  and  is  owing  greatly,  I  must 
add,  to  our  regimental  officers,  who  enjoin  such  conduct 
by  precept  and  encourage  it  by  example.  No  embargo 
is  laid  upon  our  religious  operations.  The  soldiers  are 
accessible,  and  the  officers  co-operate  with  the  chaplain. 
It  is  not  unusual  for  the  chaplain  to  receive  several  visits 
during  the  day  from  men  desirous  of  having  religious 
services  in  their  tents  at  night.  How  gratifying  that  the 
rose  of  Sharon  blooms  under  the  war-cloud  that  over- 
hangs us  and  scatters  its  fragrance  through  our  encamp- 
ment !" 

Scarcely  anything  is  more  pleasing  than  to  note  the 
influence  of  religion  on  the  hearts  of  our  soldiers  in 
prompting  them  to  every  good  work.  Though  in  the 
army  toiling,  fighting,  suffering,  their  hearts  were  re- 
sponsive to  all  the  calls  of  the  Church  of  God.  How 
noble  are  the  followinor  words  from  one  of  them : 


WINTKR  OF   1861- G2.  123 

"  It  has  been  many  a  day  since  I  have  had  the  plea- 
sure of  looking  in  upon  my  pleasant  home,  and  seeing 
for  myself  the  'first  ftuits  of  the  harvest' — nor  have  I 
heard  whether  the  ingathering  from  my  wheat,  oats,  and 
rye  patches  has  been  abundant  or  meager.  But  God  has 
been  good  to  me  in  the  camp  in  shielding  me  against 
disease,  and  preserving  my  health  unimpaired,  and  in 
taking  care  of  my  family,  and  I  desire  to  make  a  thank- 
offering  and  contribute  my  mite  towards  paying  the  Mis- 
sionary Debt  and  relieving  the  Treasury.  The  paymas- 
ter is  now  in  camp,  paying  us  the  first  installments  for 
services  rendered.  Of  these  'first  fruits,'  earned  in  the 
service  of  the  Confederate  States,  I  enclose  $10  for  the 
Missionary  Debt,  and  the  balance  for  the  Advocate, 
which  you  will  please  forward  to  me  here." 

Here  are  the  genuine  fruits  of  the  Spirit ;  he  sends 
his  means  to  help  give  the  gospel  to  the  destitute,  and 
calls  for  his  pleasant  home  companion,  the  religious  fam- 
ily paper,  to  follow  him  into  the  camp. 

Another,  sending  a  contribution  for  any  charitable 
pupose  to  which  it  might  be  thought  best  to  devote  it, 
says  :  "  I  am  afraid  that  in  the  army  my  feeling  has  been 
that  a  'poor  private'  could  hardly  be  expected,  out  of 
his  scanty  means,  to  contribute  to  the  world's  great 
needs.  God  forgive  me,  and  make  me  more  sensible  of 
my  accountability  to  him  for  the  smallest  talents  en- 
trusted to  my  care." 

As  we  advance  in  the  narrative,  we  shall  meet  with 
repeated  instances  of  the  noblest  self-denial  and  gene- 
rosity on  the  part  of  our  soldiers. 

A  little  after  mid-winter  this  year,  a  series  of  disas- 
ters occurred  to  our  arms,  which  chilled  the  hearts  of 
the  people,  and  cast  a  gloom  over  the  fair  prospects 
with  which  the  first  year  of  the  war  had  just  closed. 
First  came  the  disaster  at  Fishing  Creek,  in  Kentucky ; 
then  at  Roanoke  Island,  in  North  Carolina ;  Fort  Henry, 
and  Fort  Donelson,  which  guarded  the  Cumberland  and 


124  TIIK    GRKAT    RE^^VAL. 

Tennessee  rivers,  fell  in  quick  succession  before  the 
overwhelming  forces  of  the  Federals  ;  Columbus,  in  Ken- 
tucky, was  given  up,  Nashville  was  evacuated  in  the 
midst  of  dismay  and  confusion,  and  the  remains  of  the 
Southern  army  retired  southward. 

In  all  these  battles  there  were  instances  of  that  high 
Christian  courage  which  became  the  leading  characteris- 
tic of  the  Southern  soldiers.  The  capture  of  Roanoke 
Island  was  made  by  General  Burnside  with  an  immense 
force  compared  with  the  handful  of  men  that  defended 
it.  Here  manj'  valuable  lives  were  lost.  Among  the 
killed  was  Captain  O.  Jennings  Wise,  son  of  Hon.  Henry 
A.  Wise.  He  commanded  the  Richmond  Virginia  Blues, 
and  fell  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  Speaking  of  the 
battle  and  fall  of  his  son,  in  reply  to  a  letter  of  condo- 
lence from  a  friend.  General  Wise  said  : 

"Ahl  the  report  of  the  military  viurders  oT  Roanoke 
Island  reached  you ! 

"  The  enemy  came  in  mist  and  storm,  and  I  sent  my 
men,  only  seventeen  companies  of  infantry,  to  meet 
15,000  of  the  best  appointed  troops.  I,  prostrated  by 
pleuris}^  the  most  excruciating.  When  I  ordered  the 
meanest  man  of  my  command,  I  was  obliged  to  order 
th'jt  son,  to  be  an  example  of  devoted  service  and  of 
sacrifice.  O,  God  !  Thou  gavest  him  and  thou  took  him 
away.  What  a  son,  what  a  sacrifice !  I  parted  from 
him  saying,  'My  son,  fight  the  enemy  close.'  He  re- 
plied, 'I  think  I  will,'  with  a  smile.  He  fought  and 
watched  and  led,  and  led  again,  into  action — was  marked, 
fell  with  four  balls  piercing  his  precious  form — cheered 
on  to  action  as  they  bore  him  off,  and  died  smiling,  calm, 
composed,  and  grandl3^" 

Captain  Coles,  of  Charlottesville,  Ya.,  a  noble  young 
soldier,  was  also  among  the  killed.  In  the  midst  of  the 
fight,  it  is  said  that  a  gallant  officer  rode  up  to  his  supe- 
rior and  asked  for  reinforcements,  who,  in  reply,  assured 
him  that  it  was  madness  to  contend  with  a  mere  handful 


WINTER  OF  1861-'62.  125 

of  men  against  such  numbers.  On  receiving  this  an- 
swer, he  sat  down  for  a  moment  and  cried  bitterly,  then 
taking  his  sword,  he  broke  it  in  pieces,  mounted  his 
horse,  and  rode  off. 

The  straggle  at  Fort  Donelson  was  one  of  the  most 
terrific  in  the  annals  of  war.  "The  snow,"  says  an  eye- 
witness, "  lay  upon  the  ground  to  the  depth  of  three 
inches — soon  to  -be  the  pall  of  the  bridegroom  death  to 
many  a  brave  fellow — and  a  cold,  blinding  sleet  came 
slanting  down  like  a  shower  of  lances.  Four  days  in 
such  weather  our  soldiers  continued  the  fight,  without 
time  to  eat  or  sleep — tired,  hungry,  and  cold,  and  all  the 
while  fresh  troops  pouring  against  them,  making  another 
army  greater  than  their  own." 

A  Northern  account  of  the  battle  said  :  "  Never,  per- 
haps, on  the  American  continent  has  a  more  bloody  bat- 
tle been  fought.  An  officer,  who  participated  and  was 
wounded  in  the  fight,  says  the  scene  beggars  description. 
So  thickly  was  the  battle-field  strewn  with  dead  and 
wounded  that  he  could  have  traversed  acres  of  it,  step- 
ping at  most  every  step  upon  a  prostrate  body.  The 
rebels  fought  with  desperation,  their  artillerists  using 
their  pieces  with  most  fearful  effect.  On  either  side 
could  be  heard  the  voices  of  those  in  command  cheering 
on  the  men," 

Among  the  many  Christian  soldiers  who  fought  and 
fell  on  this  bloody  field,  not  one  has  a  brighter  record 
than  the  Rev,  Dabney  Carr  Harrison,  who  was  mortally 
wounded  while  bravely  leading  on  his  company  amid  a 
storm  of  bullets.  The  following  notice  of  him  was  writ- 
ten when  the  memoiy  of  his  deeds  and  his  death  was 
fresh  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen : 

"  When  the  sun  rose  on  the  morning  of  that  bloody 
Saturday,  it  saw  him  alread}'-  in  the  thickest  of  the  bat- 
tle. Through  seven  hours  of  mortal  peril  he  wrestled 
with  the  foe ;  with  dauntless  heart  he  cheered  on  his 
men ;  they  loved  him  as  a  father,  and  eagerlj"^  followed 


126  TUE    OUEAT    REVIVAL. 

wherever  he  led.  Their  testimony  is,  that  he  never  said 
'go  on,'  but  'come  on,'  while  ever  before  them  flashed 
his  waving  sword.  At  length,  they  saw  with  fear  and 
pain  that  his  firm  step  faltered,  that  his  erect  form 
wavered  and  was  sinking.  They  sprang  forward  and 
bore  him  from  the  field  to  die.  He  had  'warred 
a  good  warfare,  ever  holding  faith  and  a  good  con- 
science.' " 

"  With  reverence  I  have  taken  in  my  hand  the  hat  he 
wore  in  the  battle — with  tears  and  swelling  heart  have  I 
gazed  on  it.  It  is  pierced  by  four  balls.  Three  whis- 
tled partly  through  and  did  no  harm.  The  fourth,  partly 
spent,  marred  that  beautiful  brow.  But  these  were  as 
nothing.  He  calmly  fought  on.  A  more  fatal  aim  sent 
a  ball  into  his  left  breast,  above  his  heart,  quite  through 
his  bod3\  His  men  did  not  know  it.  He  still  cheered 
them  on.  Another  deadly  aim  drove  a  ball  through  his 
right  lung ;  just  where,  cannot  be  told.  His  face  was  to 
the  foe  and  his  step  onward  even  when,  from  loss  of 
blood  and  exhaustion,  he  began  to  sink.  Yet  he  did  not 
die  till  next  da3^  Like  his  brother,  seven  months  be- 
fore ;  like  his  sister,  seven  days  after ;  like  the  little 
one  to  wiiom  he  had  given  his  name,  he  was  to  die 
on  the  Sabbath,  with  the  calm  of  the  eternal  Sabbath 
filling  his  breast.  He  was  carried  to  Nashville  and  ten- 
derly nursed  by  faithful  men.  Only  two  incidents  of  his 
dying  hours  have  reached  us.  Calling  for  one  of  his 
manuscript  books,  he  took  his  pencil  and,  with  a  trem- 
bling hand,  feebly  wrote  these  words,  'Feb.  16,  1862, 
Sunday.  I  die  content  and  happy,  trusting  in  the  merits 
of  my  Saviour,  Jesus,  committing  my  wife  and  children 
to  their  Father  and  mine. — Dabney  Carr  Harrison.'  Pre- 
cious legacy  of  love  and  prayer !  Precious  testimony 
of  faith  and  blessedness  ! 

"  When  he  felt  that  death  was  just  upon  him,  he  gath- 
ered up  his  remaining  strength  for  one  more  effort.  Rest- 
mg  in  the  arms  of  one  of  his  men,  and  speaking  as  if 


wiXTKii  OF  1861'-62.  127 

tlie  company,  for  which  he  had  toiled,  and  suffered,  and 
pra3'ed,  so  much,  was  before  him,  he  exclaimed,  ' Com- 
pany K,  you  have  no  Captain  now ;  but  never  give  up  ; 
never  surrender.' 

"Thus  was  his  last  breath  for  his  country,  for  the  young 
Confederacy,  whose  liberty,  honor,  and  righteousness, 
were  inexpressibly  dear  to  him ;  for  w.iich  he  wept,  and 
prayed,  and  made  supplication  in  secret ;  for  which  he 
was  content  to  endure  hardness  as  a  good  soldier,  and 
then  cheerfully  to  die. 

"  These  d^'ing  words  beautifully  connect  themselves 
with  those  of  his  brother  Peyton  on  the  field  of  Manas- 
sas, and,  taken  together,  they  have  a  special  fitness  to 
our  countr^^'s  present  need. 

"  When  the  second  Virginia  regiment,  fighting  on  our 
left  at  Manassas,  was  broken  by  a  sudden  and  destruc- 
tive flank  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  by  the  unfortunate 
command  of  its  Colonel,  Peyton,  and  a  few  officers  of 
like  spirit,  rallied  a  portion  of  the  men  and  led  them  in 
a  perilous  but  splendid  and  victorious  charge.  In  the 
midst  of  it,  however,  he  fell,  shot  like  his  brother,  in  the 
breast.  Two  of  his  men  bore  him  from  the  field.  His 
face  was  radiant  with  heavenly  peace.  He  spent  a  few 
moments  in  dictating  messages  of  love,  and  in  praj'cr 
for  himself,  his  family,  and  his  country.  '  What  more 
can  we  do  for  you  ?'  asked  the  affectionate  men  who 
supported  him.  '  Lay  me  down,'  was  his  answer,  '  I  am 
ready  to  die ;  you  can  do  no  more  for  me  ;  rally  to  the 
charge  !' " 

These  reverses,  following  each  other  so  quickly,  deeply 
affected  the  people,  and  produced  a  feeling  of  profound 
humiliation  before  God.  The  shortest  month  of  the  year 
carried  the  record  of  nearly  all  our  disasters,  and  in  the 
same  month  the  Provisional  Government  expired,  and 
the  Permanent  Government  was  established.  The  Presi- 
dent deemed  this  a  fitting  occasion  for  us  "  again  to  pre- 
sent ourselves  in  humiliation,  prayer,  and  thanksgiving 


128  TII£    GltEAT    REVIVAL. 

before  God,"  and  accordinglj'  issued  a  proclamation,  in 
wliich  he  said  : 

"A  tone  of  earnest  piet}'  has  pervaded  our  people,  and 
the  hundred  victories  which  we  have  obtained  over  our 
enemies  have  been  justly  ascribed  to  Him  who  ruleth  the 
universe. 

"  We  had  hoped  that  the  year  would  have  closed  upon 
a  scene  of  continued  prosperit3%  but  it  has  i^leased  the 
Supreme  Disposer  of  Events  to  order  it  otherwise.  We 
are  not  permitted  to  furnish  an  exception  to  the  rule  in 
divine  government  which  has  prescribed  affliction  as  the 
discipline  of  nations,  as  well  as  of  individuals.  Our 
faith  and  perseverance  must  be  tested,  and  the  chasten- 
ing which  seemeth  grievous  will,  if  rightfully  received, 
bring  forth  its  appropriate  fruits. 

"  It  is  meet  and  right,  therefore,  that  we  should  repair 
to  the  only  Giver  of  all  victor}-,  and  humbling  ourselves 
before  him,  should  pray  that  he  may  strengthen  our  con- 
fidence in  his  mighty  power  and  righteous  judgment. 
Tlien  may  we  surely  trust  in  him,  that  he  will  perform 
his  promise,  and  encompass  us  as  with  a  shield  in  this 
trust." 

The  day  following,  22d  of  February,  Jefferson  Davis 
was  inaugurated,  and  closed  his  address  in  the  following 
words : 

"With  confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  virtue  of  those 
who  will  share  with  me  the  responsibility,  and  aid  me  in 
the  conduct  of  public  affairs,  securel}^  reljdng  upon  the 
patriotism  and  courage  of  the  people,  of  which  the 
present  war  has  furnished  so  many  examples,  I  deeply 
feel  the  weight  of  the  responsibilities  I  now,  with  un- 
affected diffidence,  am  about  to  assume  ;  and  fully  real- 
izing the  inadequacy  of  human  power  to  guide  and  to 
sustain,  my  hope  is  reverently  fixed  on  Him  whose  favor 
is  ever  vouchsafed  to  the  cause  which  is  just.  With 
humble  gratitude  and  adoration,  acknowledging  the 
Providence  which  has  so  visibly  protected  the  Confede- 


WINTER   OF    1861-'«2.  129 

racy  during  its  brief  but  eventful  career,  to  thee,  oli 
God  !  I  trustingly  commit  myself,  and  pra^-erfully  involve 
thy  blessing  on  my  country  and  its  cause." 

When  the  President  "reached  the  concluding  lines,  the 
manuscript  dropped  upon  the  table,  and  raising  his  hands 
to  heaven,  he  exclaimed  :  " '  To  thee,  oh  God  !  I  trust- 
ingly commit  myself,  and  prayerfully  invoke  thy  bless- 
ing on  my  country  and  its  cause.' 

"  The  effect  was  thrilling.  An  electric  flame  ran  through 
the  multitude.  The  prayer  of  the  President,  thus  made 
in  open  da}^  before  the  people,  found  an  echo  in  a  thou- 
sand hearts." 

In  response  to  the  pious  sentiments  of  the  President, 
the  people  were  urged  by  the  pulpit,  and  by  the  religious, 
and,  indeed,  by  the  secular  press,  to  give  themselves  to 
fasting,  prayer,  humiliation,  and  self-examination  in  ear- 
nest. 

•'  We  call  upon  the  ministry  to  stand  up  bravely  in 
their  place  and  to  rebuke  every  form  of  sin.  God,  whose 
messengers  they  are,  adds  the  solemn  and  terrible  sanc- 
tions of  his  judgments  to  the  word  of  his  inspiration  with 
which  they  are  commissioned  to  arouse  the  dormant  con- 
sciences of  the  people.  W^hen  these  thunders  of  the 
pulpit  and  of  Providence  combine,  the  deafest  ear  must 
hear,  the  most  stupefied  soul  must  arouse  from  its  slum- 
bers. 

"Tell  the  people  of  their  sins.  Lift  up  the  voice  and 
spare  not.  Let  Jeremiah  teach  the  prophet  of  the  Most 
High  how  to  denounce  sin,  and  Isaiah  how  to  promise 
good  to  the  repentant  sinner.  Give  no  place  to  worldli- 
ness  in  the  Church.  Teach  the  profane  swearer,  the 
Sabbath-breaker,  the  licentious,  the  intemperate,  that 
they  are  the  real  enemies  of  their  country,  because  they 
have  made  God  angry  with  us.  Tell  the  same  thing  to 
the  worldly-minded,  luxurious,  penurious  professor  of  re- 
ligion, who  sees  souls  die  by  whole  generations  for  want 
of  that  gospel  which  he  might  carry  or  send  to  them. 


130  THE    GREAT    RE^^VAL. 

"  But  the  work  to  be  done  must  not  stop  here.  Men's 
lives  must  be  reformed.  Those  who  are  living  in  disre- 
gard of  the  laws  of  God  are  public  enemies — more  to  be 
dreaded  than  our  foe.  The  drunkard,  the  debauchee, 
the  extortioner,  the  man  who  grows  rich  upon  the  vices 
of  others,  the  profane  swearer,  the  Sabbath-breaker,  the 
adulterer,  the  liar,  the  brawler,  the  man-slayer,  the  thief, 
are  all  to  be  classed  together  as  sinners  against  God,  as 
those  who  help  to  make  up  this  aggregate  of  national 
sin,  of  which  our  rulers  call  upon  us  to  repent — and  only 
the  guilty  sinners  themselves  can  so  repent  as  to  make 
sure  of  the  Divine  favor." 

Such  were  the  truthful  and  stirring  appeals  that 
sounded  from  pulpit  and  press  before  and  upon  the  day 
of  fasting  and  prayer.  We  have  taken  the  pains  to  re- 
cord them  in  order  to  show  that  deep  and  earnest  reli- 
gious spirit  which  pervaded  the  South  at  every  period 
of  our  struggle. 

Amonof  the  cheerins;  sig-ns  of  g-ood  amon*;  the  soldiers 
was  their  .earnest  desire  to  procure  Bibles  and  Testa- 
ments, or  any  part,  indeed,  of  the  Word  of  God.  In 
the  close  of  the  winter,  Rev.  E.  A.  Bolles,  General  Agent 
of  the  Bible  Societies  in  South  Carolina,  said,  in  speak- 
ing of  his  work : 

"  Three  months  ago  I  commenced  the  work  of  distri- 
bution among  the  soldiers  on  our  coast  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  South  Carolina 
Bible  Convention.  During  this  time  several  thousand 
copies  of  the  Scriptures  have  been  given  away  to  needy 
and  grateful  soldiers,  and  thousands  of  copies  are  yet 
needed  to  meet  the  demand.  I  may  safely  say  that 
twenty  thousand  copies  are  needed  for  distribution 
among  the  soldiers  on  the  coast.  1  therefore  earnestly 
appeal  to  the  benevolent  for  funds  to  procure  the  Scrip- 
tures, so  that  the  good  work  so  successfully  begun  may 
be  continued  until  every  destitute  soldier  is  supplied  with 
the  Word  of  Life." 


WINTER   OF    1861'-62.  131 

To  this  gentleman  the  chaplain  of  the  15th  South 
Carolina  refj;iment  sent  an  encouraging  report  of  the 
state  of  religion  in  his  regiment : 

"The  Testaments  you  sent  to  me  were  eagerly  sought 
after  by  the  men,  many  coming  to  me  long  after  they 
were  all  distributed,  and  were  much  disappointed  at  not 
receiving  one.  Could  you  send  us  some  more  they 
would  be  thankfully  received  and  faithfully  distributed. 
As  almost  all  the  men  lost  their  Bibles  on  Hilton  Head, 
our  regiment  is  perhaps  the  most  destitute  on  the  coast. 
I  am  happy  to  say  there  is  much  religious  feeling  per- 
vading our  regiment,  and  our  nightly  prayer-meetings 
are  well  attended,  and  I  hope  ere  long  the  Lord  will 
bless  us  with  an  outpouring  of  his  Holy  Spirit." 

To  the  same  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  10th  South 
Carolina  regiment  wrote  : 

"I  would  be  glad  if  you  will  supply  the  regiment  to 
which  I  am  attached  with  ihe  Scriptures,  as  I  see  by 
the  papers  that  you  are  engaged  in  the  work  of  distribu- 
tion among  the  soldiers.  We  prefer  Testaments,  as 
they  would  be  much  easier  for  soldiers  to  carry  in  their 
knapsacks.  I  have  made  this  application  to  you  be- 
cause of  finding  that  all  our  men  have  not  Bibles  or  Tes- 
taments, and  I  consider  a  soldier  poorly  equipped  tvithoitt 
one  or  the  other '^ 

While  it  is  a  pleasing  task  to  mark  the  progress  of  re- 
ligion among  the  soldiers  comprising  the  main  armies  of 
the  Confederacy,  it  is  scarcely  less  interesting  to  look  at 
its  influence  upon  the  native  Indians,  thousands  of 
whom  espoused  the  cause  of  the  South.  The  following 
statement  of  the  religious  condition  of  our  Indian  sol- 
diers appears  in  the  report  on  Missions  made  to  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  ki  the 
spring  of  1862  : 

"  It  is  well  known  that  all  the  Indians  in  the  South- 
west, with  the  exception  of  a  portion  of  the  Creeks  and 
a  few  straggling  bands  of  Cherokees  and  Seminoles,  cs- 


132  TIIK    GREAT   RE\^VAL. 

poused  the  cause  of  the  South  with  much  heartiness 
from  the  very  commenceraent  of  our  troubles,  and  not  a 
few  of  them  have  given  proof  of  their  sincerity  on  more 
than  one  battle-field.  The  first  call  for  volunteers 
aroused  much  of  the  old  war  spirit  among  them.  War 
songs,  scalp  dances,  painted  faces,  and  feathered  heads — 
sights  and  scenes  that  were  scarcely  known  to  the  pres- 
ent generation — were  revived  in  many  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, and,  for  a  time,  it  looked  as  if  the  people  were  about 
to  relapse  into  their  former  savage  condition.  But  these 
things  had  but  a  short  and  transient  existence,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  few  months  no  traces  of  them  whatever  could 
be  found.  Many  have  entered  the  army,  no  doubt,  from 
mere  excitement  and  the  love  of  warfare,  but  the  great 
body  of  them,  and  especially  the  members  of  the  Church, 
it  is  believed,  have  been  actuated  purely  by  motives  of 
duty  and  patriotism.  Mr.  Stark  visited  the  Choctaw  reg- 
iments at  their  encampments  in  the  Cherokee  country 
the  latter  part  of  January,  and  gives  a  good  account  of 
their  general  deportment,  especially  of  that  of  the  mem- 
bers  of  the  Church.  He  supposes  there  were  1,600 
Choctaws  in  the  encampment — about  one-sixth  of  these 
were  professing  Christians,  some  of  whom  were  the  best 
and  most  prominent  men  of  the  nation.  He  writes : 
'Praj'er  and  praise  went  up  every  evening  from  around 
many  of  the  camp-fires.'  And  he  adds  that  the  captain 
of  the  company  with  whom  he  lodged  allowed  no  drink- 
ing, swearing,  gambling,  or  Sabbath-breaking  among  his 
men ;  and  indeed  he  had  seen  and  heard  of  very  little  of 
these  vices  among  any  of  the  soldiers." 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  among  all  classes  in  the 
armies  of  the  South  the  element  of  true  piet}'  was  found. 
The  white  man  and  the  red  man  felt  alike,  that  the 
cause  in  which  they  struggled  was  just  and  right,  and 
that  upon  it  they  could  invoke  the  blessing  of  God  with- 
out doing  violence  to  their  conscience  or  their  faith. 

The  earl}'^  part  of  the  war,  without  the  blessing  of 


WINTER  op^  1861-62.  133 

deep  and  general  revivals,  was  not  barren  of  the  fruits 
of  righteousness  in  the  lives,  and  the  peace  and  glory 
of  religion  in  the  deaths  of  our  soldiers.  The  scenes 
often  witnessed  by  the  humble  cot  of  the  dying  patriot 
were  abundant  in  proof  that  the  gospel  is  the  power  of 
God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  James  A.  Duncan  thus  describes  a  sol- 
dier's death  : 

"  During  the  first  year  of  the  war  we  were  called  up  at 
midnight  to  visit  a  dying  soldier.  He  was  at  the  Colum- 
bian hotel,  in  Richmond.  As  we  entered  the  room,  we 
saw  the  sufferer  lying  upon  his  bed,  pale  and  emaciated  : 
the  signs  of  death  in  his  face.  At  the  foot  of  his  bed 
stood  the  Adjutant  of  his  regiment ;  on  one  side  sat  a 
kind  old  lady,  a  nurse  from  one  of  the  hospitals,  and 
who,  from  the  familiar  and  tender  way  in  which  she 
spoke  to  him,  had  evidently  known  the  young  soldier 
v/ell  at  his  own  home  in  Savannah,  Ga.  We  sat  down 
on  the  edge  of  the  bed  and  began  a  conversation  witli 
the  three. 

'•  Whitfield  Stevens  belonged  to  Bartow's  regiment ;  had 
fought  through  several  battles,  and  was  now  dying  from 
fever  occasioned  by  the  exposure  and  hardships  incident 
to  the  soldier's  life.  He  was  the  son  of  Methodist  i)a- 
rents,  but  was  himself  not  a  member  of  the  Church. 
He  had,  however,  spoken  in  a  way  that  greatly  encour- 
aged the  attendants  around  his  bed  to  cherish  the  hope 
that  he  was  truly  concerned  about  his  spiritual  condition, 
and  had  asked  that  a  minister  of  the  gospel  might  be 
sent  for  to  converse  and  pray  with  him.  Such  was  the 
information  we  obtained  in  the  course  of  conversation. 
He  was  a  tall,  manly  fellow,  and  in  spite  of  the  ravages 
of  disease  his  fine  face,  clear,  bright  eye,  and  expressive 
month,  revealed  at  a  glance  that  he  was  a  young  man  of 
decided  character. 

'"I  sent  for  you,  sir,  to  talk  with  and  pray  for  me,' 

with  a  calmness  and  directness  that  interested,  and  at 
6a 


134  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

the  same  time  made  us  feel  that  we  could  approach  him 
freely  upon  the  subject  of  religion. 

" '  Whitefield,  are  you  a  member  of  the  Church,  or  pro. 
fessor  of  religion?'  'No,'  he  replied,  'but  I'll  tell  you 
how  far  I  have  committed  myself  to  religion.  After  the 
battle  of  Manassas — and  you  know  that  Bartow's  regi- 
ment suffered  a  great  deal — I  felt  that  the  Almighty  had 
been  very  merciful  to  protect  my  unworthy  life  ;  and 
late  in  the  evening,  just  a  little  after  sunset,  I  went  off 
by  myself  amid  some  pines,  kneeled  down  upon  the 
green  grass  and  thanked  God  for  sparing  me  to  my  mo- 
ther, and  I  gave  him  my  word  that  I  would  try  and  serve 
him  as  long  as  I  lived.'  Pausing  a  moment  to  gatner 
strength,  he  continued  slowly,  distinctly,  and  with  an 
emphasis  that  we  rarely  ever  hear  except  from  the 
lips  of  the  dj'ing :  '  Father  came  on  soon  after  that 
battle  to  see  me.  When  he  was  about  to  return,  and 
had  said  good-bye,  I  noticed  that  he  still  lingered, 
looked  anxious,  came  back,  and  seemed  loath  to  leave. 
I  said  to  him,  '  Father,  T  know  what  is  the  matter  with 
you ;  you  think  I  am  not  a  Christian,  and  you  don't 
like  to  leave  me  in  my  present  perilous  position  with- 
out being  able  to  think  of  me  as  ready  to  die.'  He 
said  that  was  exactly  what  made  him  linger  and  hesi- 
tate. I  told  him  then  about  my  praying  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  Manassas  fight.  He  seemed  greatly  com- 
forted by  it,  and  said  he  could  return  home  with  a 
more  cheerful  heart.' 

"  We  said  :  '  Then,  Whitefield,  you  are  not  afraid  to 
die-?'  '  No,  sir,'  he  answered,  '  I  shall  go  up  and  make 
my  report  to  the  Almighty  as  the  Commander-in-Chief 
of  all  things.  I'll  tell  him  I  have  been  a.  faithful  soldier 
and  a  dutiful  son — '  Here  the  nurse  interrupted  him, 
and  seeming  to  think  he  was  trusting  to  his  own  good- 
ness, said :  'Whitefield,  my  son,  you  know  all  that  won't 
save  you — '  '  Stop  !  stop  !  wait  till  I  get  through,'  said 
he  ;  'I'll  tell  him  I've  been  a  faithful  soldier  and  a  duti- 


WINTKU    OF    1861-'G2.  ISf) 

fal  son,  but  an  unfaithful  servant  of  God  ;  nevertheless, 
mjf  trust  is  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  Saviour  of  men.'  As  he 
finished  the  sentence,  he  turned  and  looked  upon  the 
kind  nurse,  as  though  to  ask,  '  Is  my  faith  right  i"  The 
good  old  lady  burst  into  tears.  We  all  kneeled  down  in 
prayer  around  his  bed;  fervently  we  commended  the  dy- 
ing soldier  to  his  Saviour,  and  arose  feeling  that,  truly, 
God  was  in  that  place. 

" '  Sing  to  me,'  said  he,  '  some  of  those  good  old  hymns 
I  used  to  hear  at  home.'     We  sang — 

"  'Father,  I  stretch  my  hands  to  thee,'  &c., 
"  '  Araazuig  o^race,  how  sweet  the  sound,'  &c. 

"He  seemed  to  appreciate  the  sentiments  of  the 
h3'mn,  and  tried,  now  and  then,  to  join  in  the  singing. 
Finding  that  he  enjoyed  these  In'mns  so  much,  we  com- 
menced and  sung  the  beautiful  words — 

"  'Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul, 

Let  me  to  thy  bosom  fl}','  &c. 

"He  became  very  happy.  It  was  an  impressive 
scene — between  midnight  and  da3'break — every  sound 
hushed  on  the  street — silence  reigned  in  that  crowded 
hotel — the  light  in  the  room  threw  fitful  flashes  upon  the 
quiet,  pale  face  of  the  young  hero — the  Adjutant  leaned 
upon  the  foot  of  the  bed,  weeping — the  generous  Chris- 
tian nurse,  amid  her  tears,  joined  in  the  hymn — we  felt, 

"  '  Angels  now  are  hovering  round  us.' 

As  we  sang  the  lines — 

"  '  Cover  my  defenceless  head 
WitI)  the  shadow  of  thy  wing,' 

"Whitefield  exclaimed,  'Adjutant!  Adjutant!  is  not 
that  grand  ?  Ah  !  j'ou  don't  know  what  that  means  !  I 
will  tell  you  what  it  means.  At  Manassas,  when  the 
bullets  were  whistling  around  us  like  hail,  and  our  boys 
were  dropping  in  the  ranks,  and  poor  Bartow  fell,  then 
the  Almighty  'covered   my  defenceless   head   with  the 


136  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

shadow  of  his  wing !'  With  a  deeper  emphasis  than  we 
had  employed,  he  repeated — 

"  'Cover  MY  defenceless  liead 

With  the  shadow  of  thy  wins:.' 

"It  was  the  crowning  triumph.  Tlie  noble  boy,  weak 
er,  sank  back  on  his  pillow.  We  said,  'You  had  bettei 
now  rest.'  '  No,'  said  he,  '  let  me  talk.  I  have  but  a  lit 
tie  while  to  live ;  let  me  talk.  I  wish  one  thing  could 
be.'  '  What,'  asked  we,  '  do  you  wish  ?'  '  I  would  like,' 
he  replied,  'that  my  dear  mother  could  come  and  sit 
down  right  here  on  the  bed  by  me,  and  I  could  kiss  her 
once :  then  I  would  lie  down  and  die,  and  they  would 
carry  me  away  to  Georgia,  and  bury  me  by  the  side  of 
my  sweet  little  sister — nurse,  you  knew  m}' sister ;  she 
was  a  good  child — and  then — ah !  then  I  would  go  up  to 
heaven,  and  wait  till  the  rest  all  came.  Oh  !  would  not 
that  be  grand  !  I  hoped  to  live  long  enough  to  see 
father.  He  will  be  here  to-morrow  morning.  But  never 
mind,  G.od  knows  best — it  is  all  right.     Adjutant,  you 

know  ,  of  my  company  ?     Well,  give   my  love   to 

him.  In  the  battle,  as  he  was  marching  by  my  side, 
' Whitefield,'  said  he,  'I'll  stand  b3^  j^ou  to  the  death.' 
Noble  fellow !     Tell  him  I'll  think  of  him  in  eternity.' 

"The  dying  soldier  grew  weaker,  his  bright  eyes 
closed,  and  the  morning  sun  tlirew  his  golden  splendors 
upon  the  brow  of  the  sleeping  hero.  His  father  arrived 
by  the  early  train,  but  too  late  to  see  his  son  alive.  We 
told  him  the  story  of  his  son's  death,  and  recounted  more 
fully  tkan  in  these  pages  the  touching  scene  of  that 
memorable  night.  Tlie  old  man  smiled  through  his 
tears,  and  grew  happy  with  hope  in  the  midst  of  his 
grief.  'I  am  satisfied,'  said  he.  'Whitefield  died  as  I 
would  have  him  die — died  for  his  country;  died  ho-nora- 
bly ;  and,  above  all,  died  in  the  faith  of  the  gospel.  It 
will  comfort  his  mother,  I  shall  return  to  my  home  and 
praise  God  for  his  goodness  in  the  midst  of  our  sor- 
rows.' " 


SPRING  OF   1862.  137 


CHAPTER  Viri. 

STRING    OF     1862. 

The  military  movements  of  this  season  alternately 
elevated  and  depressed  the  public  mind.  The  memora- 
ble naval  victory  in  Hampton  Roads,  the  evacuation  of 
Manassas,  the  great  battle  of  Shiloh,  and  the  fall  of 
New  Orleans — all  occurred  within  two  months.  But  the 
people  and  the  soldiers  kept  up  their  courage,  and  while 
they  lamented  over  reverses,  rejoiced  humbly  in  our  suc- 
cesses. 

The  march  from  Manassas  to  the  Peninsula  was  at- 
tended with  great  suffering  on  the  part  of  the  soldiers. 
"  You  would  pity  our  hungry  patriots,"  wrote  a  chaplain, 
"if  you  could  see  them  toasting  the  middling  bacon  on 
long  sticks,  and  consigning  their  dough  to  the  ashes  for 
want  of  an  oven.  We  have  had  no  tents  either,  and  a 
great  many  drenching  showers.  How  would  you  enjoy 
sleeping,  if  it  had  to  be  effected  out  in  the  woods,  in  a 
driving  rain,  with  a  sobby,  spongy  soil  for  a  bed,  and  no 
covering  but  a  blanket  ?  I  have  waked  up  at  midnight 
under  such  circumstances,  and  found  half  the  regiment 
standing  silently  and  gloomily  around  the  camp-fires, 
while  now  and  then  the  barking,  hectic  cough  of  some 
afflicted  soldier  preached  a  sermon  on  death." 

Another,  who  moved  from  a  different  part  of  the  line, 
says,  in  a  rather  more  cheerful  strain  : 

"We  experienced  mingled  emotions  of  joy  and  sad- 
ness on  the  morning  of  our  departure  from  our  old  camp 
at  Evansport.  Our  men  had  grown  tired  of  the  winds, 
rains,  mud,  sleet,  and  snow,  on  the  border,  and  were 
ready  to  rejoice  at  the  prospect  of  any  change  of  posi- 
tion. 


138  THE    GREAT    REAT\"AL. 

"Some  things  pained  us.  I  shall  never  forget  the 
parting  glance  at  our  regimental  gravej'ard.  Some  were 
leaving  brothers  on  that  lonel^y  hill ;  some,  near  and  dear 
relations  ;  all,  gallant  comrades. 

"Our  second  day's  march  was  on  the  Sabbath.  About 
noon  I  ascertained  that  by  getting  permission  to  leave 
ranks  I  could  attend  Methodist  Circuit  preaching  in  the 
afternoon.  A  walk  of  three  miles  brought  me  up,  about 
3  o'clock,  to  a  little  schoolhouse,  where  I  was  affectingly 
reminded  of  my  dear  old  Circuits  in  Georgia. 

"  We  had  a  good  meeting.  It  was  Bro.  McSparran's 
first  appointment  at  that  place,  and  when  he  announced 
his  next  appointment  for  them,  an  old  brother  spoke  up 
somewhat  amusiugl}'  and  not  very  encouragingly  to  the 
preacher:  'The  Yankees  will  have  us  all  before  then.' 

"  Feeling  very  much  fatigued,  I  spent  that  night  with 
the  young  itinerant  in  the  rear  of  our  regiment,  and  had 
he  called  upon  me  to  select  for  him  a  text  to  correspond 
with  what  I  conceived  his  feelings  to  be,  I  would  have 
fixed  upon  'A  prudent  man  foreseeth  the  evil  and  hideth 
himself.'  We  have  had  some  happy  times  on  this  side 
of  the  Rappaliaunoclc  since. 

"  Let  me  tell  you  something  about  that  Methodist  wo- 
man whose  hospitalities  we  so  abundantly  shared  that 
Sabbath  evening.  Her  husband  was  a  poor  man,  but  a 
brave  Virginian.  He  spoke  of  enlisting  for  the  defence 
of  the  soil  with  which  mingled  the  dust  of  a  noble  an- 
cestry. 

" '  Go,'  said  that  Christian  woman  ;  and  looking  around 
upon  a  large  group  of  little  bright-eyed  boys,  she  added, 
'  You  can  defend  us  best  in  the  ranks.  /  will  remain 
and  defend  our  home  and  these  children.  Oh,  for  an 
army  of  such  heroines  !  T  felt  like  giving  three  cheers 
for  her  patriotism,  and  did  not  object  in  the  least  to  that 
sort  of  AUthodism." 

The  desolation  that  follows  war  is  well  depicted  by 
another  writer : 


SPRING   OF    1862.  ISy 

"Whole  square  miles  of  woods  have  been  shaved  otf 
close  to  the  ground.  The  whole  country  is,  I  might  say, 
one  great  road ;  at  least,  it  is  impossible  to  travel  one 
mile  from  our  old  camp  without  crossing  from  ten  to 
twenty  highways.  We  never  saw  a  child  or  lady,  hardly 
ever  a  citizen.  One  could  hardly  move  about  for  tho 
dead  horses  that  lay  in  multitudes  around.  Ever}'  old 
field  is  marked  with  tent-drains,  rotten  beef  and  other 
provisions,  with  a  wilderness  of  rude  chimneys,  and  all 
manner  of  camp  trash.  The  mud  and  filth  are  so  grea  . 
that  it  is  a  feat  to  walk  a  hundred  j^ards,  and  every  mile 
of  road  has  its  wreck  of  a  wagon.  These  are  the  Elysian 
fields  which  General  Johnston  has  deserted." 

About  the  same  time  General  Jackson  was  compelled 
to  move  his  forces  up  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  and  leave 
Winchester  and  other  places  exposed  to  the  incursions 
of  the  Federals.  When  asked  by  a  citizen  of  the  Valley 
whether  he  would  really  fall  back  and  desert  them,  he 
replied,  "B}'  the  help  of  God,  I  will  be  with  you  again 
soon." 

These  movements,  while  the}''  interrupted  the  pious 
labors  of  chaplains  and  colporteurs,  did  not  divert  the 
minds  of  the  soldiers  from  the  great  truths  of  religion. 
No  sooner  was  the  main  army  in  position  near  Williams- 
burg, on  the  Peniiisula,  than  the  work  was  resumed,  and 
the  fruits  of  righteousness  began  to  appear.  The  fol- 
lowing interesting  reports  were  sent  to  Rev.  A.  E.  Dick- 
inson, Superintendent  of  Colportage  for  the  Baptist 
Church :  "  I  have  known  twelve  men  in  my  regiment," 
wrote  a  chaplain  from  Williamsburg,  "who  have  pro- 
fessed conversion  from  reading  your  tracts.  One  came 
to  me  with  a  tract  in  his  hand,  and  the  tears  flowing 
down  his  cheeks,  and  said,  '  I  would  not  take  thousands 
for  this  tract.  My  parents  have  praj^ed  for  me,  and 
wept  over  me  ;  but  it  was  left  for  this  tract  to  bring  me, 
a  poor  convicted  sinner,  to  the  feet  of  Jesus.  Oh,  sir,  I 
feel  to-day  that  I  am  a  new  man,  and  have  set  out  for 


140  THE   GREAT   RE\aVAL. 

heaven.' "  Another  wrote  from  Yorktown  :  "  For  three 
months  I  have  not  preached  a  sermon.  We  have  no 
preaching  place,  and  I  do  not  know  when  we  shall  have 
one.  The  most  that  can  be  done  is  by  colportage  work, 
from  camp  to  camp,  disLribnting  the  pages  of  divine 
truth.  The  soldiers  are  anxious  for  Testaments  and 
tracts,  and  read  them  most  eagerly." 

The  scenes  in  the  hospitals  were  very  touching.  "  As 
I  would  go  from  cot  to  cot,"  sa3'^s  a  colporteur  writing 
from  Winchester,  Va.,  "  leaving  a  tract  or  a  Testament, 
and  speaking  of  Jesus,  it  was  not  uncommon  for  some 
sufferer  in  another  part  of  the  room  to  call  out,  '  Bring 
me  one.'  I  shall  never  forget  my  first  visit  to  one  of 
the  hospitals.  There,  stretched  out  before  me,  on  coarse, 
hard  beds,  lay  perhaps  a  hundred  sick  soldiers,  most  of 
them  young  men,  some  of  them  the  flower  of  the  land. 
They  were  far  from  happy  homes,  lonely,  despairing, 
sick — some  of  them  sick  unto  death.  How  cheering  the 
sight  of  any  friend !  What  an  opportunit}'^  for  the  child 
of  God !" 

General  Jackson  gave  every  encouragement  to  religion 
among  his  soldiers  ;  he  was  the  model  Christian  officer 
in  our  armies,  "active,  humble,  consistent — restrainiug 
profanity  and  Sabbath-breaking — welcoming  colporteurs, 
distributing  tracts,  and  anxious  to  have  every  regiment 
in  his  army  supplied  with  a  chaplain."  Indeed,  even 
the  most  irreligious  officers  gladly  welcomed  these  tract 
distributors  to  their  camps.  "Sir,"  said  a  notoriously 
cross  and  profane  General  to  a  colporteur,  "you  have 
come,  I  hope,  to  do  all  the  good  you  can ;"  and  he 
showed  his  sincerity  by  inviting  him  to  mess  at  his  table 
and  share  his  blankets. 

It  is  sadlj^  pleasing  to  follow  these  good  men  in  their 
walks  through  the  hospitals,  and  listen  to  their  talks 
with  the  sick  men.  "  I  was  once  tempted  to  be  ashamed 
of  the  work,"  sa^'s  one  of  tliem,  "  and  was  about  to  pass 
by  a  group  of  soldiers  without  giving  them  an}'  tracts, 


8PRINO   OF    1862.  141 

but  it  appeared  to  me  that  thi^  might  be  a  temptation  of 
the  evil  one,  and  I  determined  to  overlook  no  one.  Go- 
ing up  to  a  soldier,  I  asked  if  he  was  a  Christian.  He 
was  deeply  moved,  and  said,  'I  wish  to  have  some  con- 
versation with  you  ;  can  you  sit  down  with  me  awhile  ?' 
He  then  told  me  that  he  had  been  a  professor  of  reli- 
gion ;  had  enjoyed  the  smile  of  God  on  his  soul ;  but 
that  temptation  and  vice  had  led  him  astray,  until  now 
he  was  almost  read}'^  to  despair.  Weeping  and  sobbing, 
he  confessed  his  sin.  I  urged  him  again  to  seek  the 
favor  of  God.  A  very  sick  man  said  to  me,  'Oh,  sir,  I 
would  give  worlds  for  an  interest  in  the  blood  of  Jesus 
and  the  pardon  of  sin.'     He  has  since  passed  away." 

Another  writes :  "The  saddest,  the  happiest  deaths  I 
have  ever  known  have  been  in  the  army.  Soldiers  jolt- 
ing along  in  the  wagons,  which  bore  them  to  the  hos- 
pitals, have  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith.  And  in  the 
hospitals,  without  a  pallet  or  a  pillow,  without  an  ac- 
quaintance to  cheer  or  comfort  or  alleviate,  what  scenes 
have  I  witnessed  !  It  has  been  my  privilege  to  read, 
sing,  and  pray  with  these  pallid,  dying  men,  and  to  see 
in  their  moist  eyes  the  evidence  of  feeling  hearts — to 
hear  from  whispering  lips  the  most  exultant  expressions 
of  trust  in  the  Saviour.  Called  up  some  cold  night  to 
stand  by  a  death  bed,  I've  had  the  soldier  to  clasp  my 
hand  in  his,  and,  with  heavenly  joy,  point  up  to  the 
shining  home  of  a  dear  brother  gone  before.  The  bless- 
ings often  invoked  on  my  head  by  these  devoted  men 
have  filled  me  with  humble  joy,  and  urged  me  to  redou- 
ble my  feeble  efforts  for  the  defenders  of  our  once  happy 
land.  I  would  not  part  with  these  pleasing  recollections 
of  my  work  for  all  the  honor  a  soldier  can  gain  from  a 
grateful  country.' 

"  A  few  days  ago,"  wrote  another,  "  a  soldier  said  to 
me,  '  On  going  into  my  tent,  I  found  lying  on  ray  table 
the  tract,  'Why  will  ye  die?'  I  read  it  and  became 
alarmed  in  regard  to  my  spiritual  state,  and  re-read  it 


142  THE   GREAT   REVIVAI.. 

until  I  became  perfectly  miserable.  In  tins  state  of 
mind,  I  went  off  into  the  woods  to  pray  that  I  might  be 
delivered  from  this  awful  condition.  While  wrestling  in 
pra3'er  before  God,  I  was  enabled  to  lay  hold  of  Jesus 
as  one  mighty  to  save,  and  since  have  had  peace  and  joy 
in  believing,  and  now  I  wish  to  make  this  contribntion  to 
aid  in  sending  the  same  tract  to  my  comrades,  that  thej'' 
too  may  be  warned  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come  ;'  so 
saj'ing,  he  handed  me  five  dollars.*' 

"  I  found  a  young  soldier,"  says  another,  "  sinking  in 
death.  On  asking  him  how  he  was,  he  said,  'I  know  in 
whom  I  have  believed,  and  am  persuaded  that  he  is  able 
to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed  unto  him.'  At  my 
next  visit  he  was  unable  to  speak  save  in  a  whisper.  I 
put  my  lips  to  his  ear  and  asked  how  it  was  -vith  him  ? 
He  replied,  'I  had  rather  depart  and  be  with  Christ, 
which  is  far  better.'  In  this  frame  of  mind  he  passed 
awa}^  to  his  heavenly  home." 

"  Some  of  the  cases,"  said  Rev.  James  B.  Tajdor,  Sr., 
writing  of  his  visits  to  the  hospitals  at  Staunton,  Va., 
"  were  peculiarly  touching.  One  man  from  Southwestern 
Georgia  told  me,  with  deep  feeling,  that  out  of  98  com- 
posing his  company  24  were  buried  in  Western  Virginia, 
I  pressed  upon  him  the  claims  of  the  gospel,  and  he 
seemed  thankful  and  penitent.  Another,  far  from  home, 
seemed  near  the  grave.  The  tears  flowed  from  his  lan- 
guid eyes  when  I  asked  him  about  his  spiritual  condi- 
tion, and  with  trembling  lips  he  replied,  '  No  hope.'  He 
gazed  at  me  wistfully,  as  I  pointed  him  to  the  'Lamb  of 
God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world,'  "I  was 
specially  affected  by  the  remarks  of  a  soldier  who  said, 
'  O,  sir,  you  know  not  how  difficult  it  is  to  stem  the  tide 
of  corruption  in  the  army.  Many  of  our  officers  drink 
and  swear,  and  discourage  all  manifestations  of  religious 
feeling,' " 

Such  scenes  were  witnessed  every  day  and  night,  and 
every  houi  of  every  day  and  night,  from  the  first  battle 


SPRING  OF   1862.  143 

of  the  war  to  its  disastrous  close.  The  batte-fields,  as 
well  as  the  hospitals,  have  their  records  of  unselfish  de- 
votion and  Christian  heroism ;  and  the  deeper  the  strug- 
gle the  brighter  shone  those  elements  of  character  that 
truly  ennoble  our  nature. 

The  battle  of  Shiloh,  fought  this  spring,  was  made 
illustrious,  both  by  the  prowess  of  our  arms,  and  by  the 
costly  sacrifices  there  laid  upon  the  altar  of  the  South., 
On  this  bloody  field,  that  accomplished  soldier  and.  noble, 
gentleman,  Albert  Sidne}'  Johnston,  offered  up  his  life. 
"While  leading  a  successful  charge,  turning  the  enemy's 
right,  and  gaining  a  brilliant  victory,  a  minnie  ball  cut 
the  artery  of  his  leg,  but  he  rode  on  till  from  loss  of 
blood  he  fell  exhausted,  and  died  without  pain  in  a  few 
moments."  Such  were  the  brief  words  in  which  his  fel- 
low-warriors told  of  his  death. 

The  President,  in  communicating  this  sad  intelligence 
to  Congress,  after  announcing  the  victor3%  said  : 

"  But  an  allwise  Creator  has  been  pleased,  while  vouch- 
safing to  us  his  countenance  in  battle,  to  afflict  us  with  a 
severe  dispensation,  to  which  we  must  bow  in  humble 
submission.  The  last  lingering  hope  has  disappeared, 
and  it  is  but  too  true  that  Gen.  Albert  Sidney  Johnston 
is  no  more. 

"My  long  and  close  friendship  with  this  departed 
chieftain  and  patriot  forbids  me  to  trust  myself  in  giv- 
ing vent  to  the  feelings  which  this  sad  intelligence  has 
evoked.  Without  doing  injustice  to  the  living,  it  may 
be  safely  asserted  that  our  loss  is  irreparable,  and  that 
among  the  shining  hosts  of  the  great  and  the  good  who 
now  cluster  around  the  banner  of  our  country,  there  ex- 
ists no  purer  spirit,  no  more  heroic  soul,  than  that  of  the 
illustrious  man  whose  death  I  join  you  in  lamenting. 

"  In  his  death  he  has  illustrated  the  character  for 
which  through  life  he  was  conspicuous — that  of  single- 
ness of  purpose  and  devotion  to  duty.  With  his  whole 
energies  bent  on  attaining  the  victorj'  which  he  deemed 


144  THE    GREAT   KEVIVAL. 

essential  to  his  country's  cause,  he  rode  on  to  the  ac- 
complishment of  his  object,  forgetful  of  self,  while  his 
very  life-blood  was  fast  ebbing  awaj'.  His  last  breath 
cheered  his  comrades  to  victor3\  The  last  sound  which 
he  heard  was  their  shout  of  triumph.  His  last  thought 
was  his  country's,  and  long  and  deepl}'  will  his  country 
mourn  his  loss." 

The  case  of  General  Johnston  was  particularly  sad. 
After  the  disasters  in  the  West,  and  the  retreat  of  his 
army  to  Corinth,  he  was  under  a  cloud,  censures  were 
heaped  upon  him,  and  there  were  loud  clamors  for  his 
removal.  It  was  said,  at  the  time,  that  men  high  in  po- 
sition urged  the  President  to  displace  him,  but  he  was 
inflexible,  and  only  replied,  "  If  Albert  Sidney  Johnston 
is  not  a  General,  then  I  have  no  General." 

His  military  movements  in  Kentucky,  and  his  march 
Southward,  were  freely  and  severely  criticised  in  the  Con- 
federate Congress  by  men  who  "  never  set  a  squadron  in 
the  field,"  but  the  noble  General  bore  it  all  in  silence- 
After  his  lamented  death,  and  while  the  glory  of  his 
great  victory  was  still  shining  on  the  country,  a  letter 
was  read  in  this  same  Congress  which  he  wrote  to  the 
President  explaining  all  his  movements,  and  giving  the 
reasons  for  them.  The  writer  was  present  in  the  hall  of 
Congress  when  this  letter  was  read,  and  never  can  he 
forget  the  profound  impression  it  made  on  the  entire 
audience. 

Abundant  tears,  and  a  silence  more  eloquent  than  the 
words  of  the  greatest  orator,  were  the  tribute  paid  to  the 
memory  of  the  departed  patriot. 

Our  space  will  not  permit  us  to  lay  the  whole  of  this 
noble  letter  before  the  reader,  but  we  cannot  deny  him 
the  gratification  of  seeing  its  closing  sentences. 

After  alluding  to  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson,  he  says  : 
"  The  blow  was  most  disastrous,  and  almost  without  a 
remedy.     I,  therefore,  in  my  first  report  remained  silent. 
Tills  silence  you  were  kind  enough  to  attribute  to  my 


SPRING   OF    1862.  145 

generosity.  I  will  not  lay  claim  to  the  motive  to  excuse 
my  course.  I  observed  silence,  as  it  seemed  to  be  the 
best  way  to  serve  the  cause  and  the  country.  The  facts 
were  not  fully  known — discontent  prevailed,  and  criti- 
cism or  condemnation  were  more  likely  to  augment  than 
to  cure  the  evil.  I  refrained,  well  knowing  that  heavy 
censures  would  fall  upon  me,  but  convinced  that  it  was 
better  to  endure  them  for  the  present,  and  defer  to  a 
more  propitious  time  an  investigation  of  the  conduct  of 
the  Generals,  for  in  the  meantime  their  services  were 
required  and  their  influence  useful — for  these  reasons, 
Generals  Floyd  and  Pillow  were  assigned  to  duty,  as  I 
still  felt  confidence  in  their  gallantry,  their  energy,  and 
their  devotion  to  the  Confederacy. 

"  Thus  I  have  recurred  to  the  motives  by  which  I  have 
been  governed,  from  a  deep  personal  sense  of  the  friend- 
ship and  confidence  you  have  always  shown  me,  and  from 
the  conviction  that  they  have  not  been  withdrawn  from 
me  in  adversity. 

"  The  test  of  merit  in  my  profession,  with  the  people, 
is  success.     It  is  a  hard  rule,  but  I  think  it  right." 

At  the  reading  of  the  last  sentence,  the  recollection 
of  the  injustice  done  to  the  hero  rushed  upon  the  minds 
of  the  hearers,  and  the  scene  was  morally  sublime.  Al- 
bert Sidney  Johnston  was  dead,  but  he  was  enshrined 
in  the  hearts  of  his  countrj^men. 

The  instances  of  heroic  valor  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh 
are  abundant.  A  chaplain,  Rev.  I.  T.  Tichnor,  of  the 
17th  Alabama  regiment,  in  a  letter  to  Governor  Watts, 
of  that  State,  who  at  one  time  commanded  the  regiment, 
says : 

"During  this  engagement  we  were  under  a  cross  fire 
on  the  left  wing  from  three  directions.  Under  it  the 
boys  wavered.  I  had  been  wearied,  and  was  sitting 
down,  but  seeing  them  waver,  I  sprang  to  my  feet,  took 
off  my  hat,  waved  it  over  my  head,  walked  up  and  down 
the  line,  and,  as  they  say,  *  preached  them  a  sermon.'  I 
7 


146-  THE  GREAT   REVTVAI.. 

reminded  them  that  it  was  Sunday.  That  at  that  hour 
(IL^  o'clock)  all  their  home  folks  were  prajnng  for  them , 
that  Tom  AVatts  (excuse  the  familiar  way  in  which  I 
employed  so  distinguished  a  name)  had  told  us  he  would 
listen  with  an  eager  ear  to  hear  from  the  17th;  and 
shouting  your  name  loud  over  the  roar  of  battle,  I  called 
upon  them  to  stand  there  and  die,  if  need  be,  for  their 
country.  The  effect  was  evident.  Every  man  stood  to 
his  post,  every  e3'e  flashed,  and  every  heart  beat  high 
with  desperate  resolve  to  conquer  or  die.  The  regiment 
lost  one-third  of  the  number  carried  into  the  field." 

Among  the  Christian  soldiers  that  fell  was  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Holbrook,  of  a  Kentucky  regiment.  He  was 
mortally  wounded,  and  fell  at  the  head  of  his  regiment 
in  a  victorious  charge.  After  the  battle,  several  of  his 
officers  came  to  see  him  in  the  hospital.  He  was  dying 
fast,  but  desired  to  be  propped  up  in  bed,  and  then  he 
talked  with  them  like  a  Christian  soldier  :  "  Gentlemen, 
in  the  course  of  my  official  duties  with  you  I  have  had 
little  or  no  occasion  to  speak  to  you  upon  the  subject  of 
religion,  but  this  is  a  time  when,  as  fellow-men,  we  may 
commune  frankly  together.  And  I  desire  to  bear  wit- 
ness to  the  fact  that  I  am  at  the  present  moment  de- 
riving all  my  strength  and  consolation  from  the  firm  re- 
liance which  I  have  upon  the  blessings  of  religion.  I 
know  I  am  not  prepared  for  death,  as  I  ought  to  have 
been,  and  as  I  hope  you  may  be,  but  I  feel  safe  in  re- 
posing upon  the  strong  arm  of  God,  and  trusting  to  him 
for  my  future  happiness.  Before  this  war  is  closed,  some 
of  you  may  be  brought  upon  the  threshold  of  the  eter- 
nal world,  as  I  have  been,  and  my  earnest  prayer  is  that 
the  messenger  of  death  may  find  you  waiting.  Through- 
out my  existence,  I  haA'e  found  nothing  in  my  experi- 
ence that  has  afforded  me  more  substantial  happiness 
than  Christianity,  and  I  now,  as  I  lie  here  conscious  that 
life  is  waning,  desire  to  bear  testimony  of  a  peaceful 
mind,  of  a  firm  faith  in  the  grand  scheme  of  salvation. 


SPRING  OF  1862.  .147 

Farewell,  inj^  comrades,  may  we  all  meet  in  a  better 
world." 

One  of  the  rarest  instances  of  youthful  heroism  that 
ever  occurred  is  recorded  in  connection  with  this  battle. 
Charlie  Jackson,  whose  brief  career  as  a  soldier,  and 
whose  happ3^  death  we  place  here  upon  permanent 
record,  was  worthy  of  the  great  name  he  bore  : 

"Some  months  ago,"  says  a  writer,  "Charlie's  father 
raised  a  company  of  soldiers,  in  which  he  was  permitted 
to  drill  with  the  privates,  and  finally  became  so  expert 
in  the  manual  of  arms  that,  young  as  he  was,  he  was 
chosen  the  drill-master.  In  due  time,  marching  orders 
were  received.  Then  the  father,  consulting  the  age  of 
his  boy,  and  probably  his  own  paternal  feelings,  gave 
him  to  understand  that  it  was  his  wish  he  should  remain 
at  home.  To  this  Charlie  strenuously  demurred,  and 
plainly  told  his  parent  that  if  he  could  not  go  with  him 
he  would  join  another  compan3%  Yielding  to  his  obsti- 
nacy, a  sort  of  silent  consent  was  given,  and  the  lad 
left  Memphis  with  his  comrades.  The  regiment  to  which 
they  belonged  was  detached  to  Burnsville,  several  miles 
distant  from  Corinth,  and  here  it  remained  until  the  Fri- 
day or  Saturday  preceding  the  battle.  Orders  were  then 
received  that  it  should  repair  at  once  to  the  field  and 
take  its  position.  Charlie  was  asleep  at  the  time  of  the 
departure,  and  the  father,  unwilling  that  one  so  young 
should  undergo  the  fatigue  of  the  long  march  of  twenty 
miles  and  the  dangers  of  the  coming  fight,  gave  orders 
that  he  should  not  be  disturbed.  Several  hours  after, 
the  bo}^  awoke  of  his  own  accord. 

"  At  a  glance,  his  eye  took  in  the  condition  of  afiairs, 
and  his  knowledge  of  coming  events  satisfied  him  of  the 
cause.  With  him,  to  think  was  to  act.  He  seized  his 
little  gun,  a  miniature  musket  which  his  father  had 
made  for  him,  and  alone  started  on  the  trail  of  his  ab- 
sent regiment.  Hour  after  hour  he  trudged  along,  and 
finally,  just  as  they  were  about  halting  preparatory  to 


148.  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

going  into  battle,  he  succeeded  in  joining  liis  company. 
He  had  travelled  more  than  fifteen  miles.  His  fatlier 
chided  him.  but  how  could  lie  do  otherwise  than  admire 
the  indomitable  spirit  of  his  })oy  ?  Tlie  battle  com- 
menced. Charlie  took  his  place  by  his  father's  side,  and 
was  soon  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  A  bullet  struck 
him  in  the  body  and  tore  an  ugly  wonnd.  Still  he 
pressed  on,  firing,  cheering,  and  charging  with  the  re- 
mainder of  his  regiment.  He  seemed  not  to  know  the 
sensation  of  fear,  and  his  youthful  example  on  more 
than  one  occasion  was  the  ralljnng  point  from  which  tlie 
men  took  fresh  spirit.  Suddenlj^  at  a  late  hour  in  the 
day,  the  little  fellow  fell  shot  through  the  leg  a  few 
inches  below  the  hip.  He  gave  a  cheer  and  told  his 
father  to  go  on.  '  Don't  mind  me,'  said  he,  '  but  keep 
on ;  I'll  lay  here  till  you  come  back.'  Tiiis  of  course 
the  feelings  of  the  parent  would  not  permit  him  to  do, 
and  picking  him  up  in  his  arms,  he  carried  him  to  the 
nearest  hospital.  Within  a  day  or  two  Charlie  was 
brought  to  his  home  in  Memphis,  feeble,  yet  full  of  hope 
and  coura-xe. 

"  Dr.  Keller  was  called  upon  to  examine  the  wound  and, 
if  necessary,  to  perform  amputation ;  but  at  a  glance  his 
experienced  eye  saw  that  the  poor  boy  was  beyond  the 
hope  of  recovery.  Mortification  had  set  in,  and  an  ope- 
ration would  only  increase  his  sufferings  without  prolong- 
ing life.  The  lad  noticed  the  sober  countenance  of  the 
physician  as  he  turned  away  and  went  to  an  adjoining 
room  to  break  the  mournful  intelligence  to  the  weeping 
father  and  mother.  Nothing  could  be  done  but  to  relieve 
him  of  pain  by  means  of  opiates. 

"A  few  moments  afterwards  he  returned  to  the  bed- 
side of  the  sufferer,  when  the  young  hero  abruptly  met 
liim  with  the  question — 

" '  Doctor,  will  you  answer  me  a  straightforward  ques- 
tion, and  tell  me  the  truth  ?' 

"  The  physician  paused  a  moment,  and  then  said : 


SPRING  OF   1862.  149 

"  'Tcs,  Charlie,  I  will ;  but  3'ou  must  prepare  for  bad 
news.' 

" '  Can  I  live  ?'  was  the  response. 

"  *  No  !  Nothing  can  save  j^ou  now  but  a  miracle  from 
Heaven.* 

•    '"AVell,  I  have  thought  so  myself.     I  have  felt  as  if  I 
was  going  to  die.     Do  father  and  mother  know  this  ?' 

"'Yes,'  replied  the  surgeon.     'I  have  just  told  them.' 

" '  Please  ask  them  to  come  in  here.' 

"  When  the  parents  had  done  so,  and  taken  their  places 
on  either  side  of  the  bed,  Charlie  reached  out,  grasped 
their  hands  in  his,  and  said  : 

" '  Dear  father  and  mother,  Dr.  Kellar  says  that  I  can't 
live.  And  now  I  want  to  ask  your  forgiveness  for  all 
wrong  I  have  done.  I  have  tried  to  be  a  good  boy  in 
every  way  but  one,  and  that  was  when  I  disobeyed  you 
both  and  joined  the  army.  I  couldn't  help  that,  for  T 
felt  as  if  I  ought  to  be  right  where  you  were,  father,  and 
to  fight  as  long  as  I  was  able.  I'm  onlj^  sorry  that  I 
can't  fight  through  the  war.  If  I  have  said  anything 
wrong  or  done  anything  wrong,  won't  you  forgive  me  ?' 

"The  afflicted  parents  could  only  weep  their  assent. 

" '  Now,  fatlier,'  continued  the  boy,  '  one  thing  more. 
Don't  stay  here  with  me,  but  go  back  to  camp.  Mother 
will  take  care  of  me,  and  your  services  are  more  neces- 
sary in  your  corapan}^  than  they  are  at  home.  I  am  not 
afraid  to  die.  and  I  wish  I  had  a  thousand  lives  to  lose 
in  the  same  wa}'.  And,  father,  tell  the  bo3's  when  you 
get  back  how  I  died — just  as  a  soldier  ought  to.  Tell 
tliem  to  fight  the  Yankees  as  long  as  there  is  one  left  in 
the  country,  and  'never  give  vp !  Whenever  you  fill  up 
the  company  with  new  men,  let  them  know  that  besides 
their  country  there's  a  little  boy  in  heaven  who  will 
watch  them  and  pra}^  for  them  as  they  go  into  battle.' 

"And  so  is  dying  one  of  the  bravest  spirits  that  was 
ever  breathed  into  the  human  body  by  its  Divine  Master. 
The  scene  I  have  described  is  one  of  which  we  .some- 


150  THE   GRi:AT   REVIVAL. 

times  read,  but  rarely  behold,  and  the  surgeon  told  me 
that,  inured  as  he  was  to  spectacles  of  suffering  and  woe, 
as  he  stood  by  this,  a  silent  spectator,  his  heart  over- 
flowed in  tears  and  he  knelt  down  and  sobbed  like  a 
child. 

"  How  true  are  the  lines  of  the  poet — 

"The  ijood  die  first. 
And  they  whose  hearts  are  dry  as  Summer's  dust, 
Burn  to  the  socket." 

From  this,  and  other  battles,  the  hospitals  were  filled 
with  thousands  of  sick  and  wounded  men,  among  whom 
there  were  the  most  cheering  evidences  of  true  religious 
feeling.  Rev.  B.  B.  Ross,  of  Alabama,  who  gladly  gave 
himself  to  the  work  of  colportage,  says  of  his  labors : 

"I  visited  Corinth,  the  hospitals,  and  some  of  the 
camps,  and  am  glad  to  report  that  the  soldiers  are  very 
greedy  for  all  kinds  of  religious  reading — take  the  tracts 
from  the  agent  with  delight,  and  read  them  with  avidity ; 
and,  whenever  he  sees  proper  to  drop  a  word  of  admoni- 
tion or  warning,  listen  to  it  with  patience  aad  respect. 
But  this  is  especially  so  in  the  hospitals." 

From  Okolona,  Miss.,  Rev.  J.  T.  C.  Collins  wrote  to 
Mr.  Ross : 

"  The  soldiers  received  the  books  with  great  eagerness. 
I  never  in  all  my  life  saw  such  a  desire  to  get  Bibles. 
Every  ward  I  went  into  they  would  beg  me  for  Bibles  and 
Testaments.  AVhile  they  gladly  received  the  other  books, 
they  wanted  Bibles.  I  have  been  to  every  man's  cot  and 
left  either  a  book  or  a  tract.  And  when  I  re-visited 
them,  and  asked  how  they  liked  the  books,  my  heart  was 
greatly  cheered  by  the  accounts  they  gave  me.  One  said 
he  had  been  improving  ever  since  he  had  gotten  some- 
thing to  interest  his  mind.  Another  said,  while  a  friend 
was  reading  for  him  the  14th  chapter  of  John  (a  chapter 
to  which  I  had  called  his  attention),  he  was  blessed  and 
made  very  happy.    He  is  now  dead — went  safely  home." 

This  easrer  desire  for  religious  readins:  was  as  manifest 


SPRING    OF    1862.  151 

in  the  camp  as  in  the  hospital.  A  chaplain  gave  this 
pleasing  testimony : 

"Religious  reading  is  highly  appreciated  by  the  sol- 
diers; and  what  few  tracts  we  can  get  are  carefully  read, 
and  manj'  tears  have  been  seen  to  run  down  the  soldier's 
face  while  reading  these  friendly  visitors.  They  do  not 
wait  for  me  to  go  out  to  distribute  them,  but  come  to  m}'' 
tent  inquiring,  '  Have  you  any  more  tracts  to  spare  ?' 
There  have  been  two  conversions  in  the  regiment.  The 
soldiers  were  sick  at  the  time,  and  one  of  them  -has  since 
'gone  to  his  long  home,'  but  felt  before  he  died  it  was 
much  the  best  for  him  to  go,  that  '  he  would  be  in  a  bet- 
ter world,'  where  wars  and  rumors  of  wars  would  no 
more  mar  his  peace." 

The  evacuation  of  the  Peninsula,  and  the  falling  back 
of  our  army  from  Yorktown  to  the  vicinity  of  Richmond, 
crowded  the  hospitals  with  thousands  of  sick  and  wound- 
ed men.  No  person  wlio  was  in  Richmond  in  the  spring 
of  1862  can  forget  the  painful  scenes  as  the  long  trains 
of  sick  and  wouuded  moved  into  the  city  day  and  night, 
and  emptied  out  their  loads  of  human  wretchedness. 
The  hospitals  were  poorly  supplied  with  beds,  medicines, 
provisions,  pln-sicians,  and  nurses,  and  but  for  the  sup- 
plies of  all  kinds  carried  to  them  by  the  citizens,  who 
also  gladly  volunteered  to  nurse  the  helpless  sufferers, 
the  mortality  would  have  been  a  hundred  fold  greater 
than  it  was.  This  state  of  things,  however,  was  but  tem- 
porary ;  as  soon  as  the  hospital  accommodations  were 
enlarged,  and  the  corps  of  surgeons  and  nurses  in- 
creased, the  condition  of  the  wounded  and  sick  was 
much  improved.  But  still,  with  all  that  the  government 
could  do,  assisted  by  the  people,  who  cheerful!}^  opened 
their  houses  to  their  suffering  countrj'men,  the  amount 
of  misery  was  appalling. 

The  writer  almost  shudders  now  at  the  bare  recollection 
of  what  he  witnessed  in  the  hospitals,  and  especially  in  the 
sick  camps  in  the  open  country.    Within  and  without  the 


1;V2  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL, 

scanty  tents  were  hundreds  of  wretched,  woe-begone,  sick 
soldiers,  from  the  tender  boy  of  sixteen  to  the  man  of 
fifty;  some  lay  on  the  outside  of  the  tents  muttering  in 
the  delirium  of  fever,  of  friends  and  home  ;  others  with- 
in, lay  shaking  with  ague,  under  filthy  rags  and  blankets  ; 
some  with  pale  faces,  ami  sunken  e3'es  and  cheeks,  sat 
against  trees  or  stumps,  the  very  pictures  of  despair ; 
others  lay  perfectly  still  on  the  bare  ground,  too  weak 
to  move,  wasted  literally  to  skeletons  by  dj^sentery. 
Thus  on  every  side  the  ej-e  fell  upon  the  forms  of  human 
beings  bruised,  broken,  slain  by  cruel  war;  and  when 
we  remember  that  in  most  of  these  sick  camps  garbage 
and  filth  of  all  kinds  lay  reeking  in  every  direction,  we 
have  a  picture  of  horrors  that  can  find  no  counterpart 
except  in  the  midst  of  such  a  war. 

These  unfortunate  creatures  claimed  and  received  the 
careful  attention  of  the  noble  men  and  women  who  gave 
their  days  and  nights  to  hospital  work,  and  their  best 
earthlj'  reward  was  the  word  or,  perhaps,  look  of  grati- 
tude from  the  sick  and  dying  soldier. 

Rev.  Dr.  Ryland,  speaking  of  his  labors  this  Spring  in 
the  Richmond  camps  and  hospitals,  says : 

"I  have  conversed  with,  addressed,  and  prayed  for, 
many  hundreds  of  invalid  soldiers  during  the  month, 
and  given  to  each  a  tract,  or  a  religious  newspaper,  or  a 
New  Testament,  and  have  received  from  cdl  great  re- 
spect, and  from  vimiy  the  most  tender  expressions  of 
gratitude.  I  have  found  about  forty-five  men  who  could 
not  read  ;  to  these  I  have  given  such  books  as  McGuf- 
fey's  First  Reader,  after  demanding  and  obtaining  pro- 
mises that  they  would  try  to  learn.  The  work  is  full  of 
encouragement  and  delight,  and  worthy  of  far  more 
piety,  learning  and  talents  than  I  possess." 

Many  of  the  hospital  scenes  touchingly  illustrated  the 
value  of  religion  to  the  poor  sufferers.  A  d^'ing  soldier 
said  to  the  kind  physician  who  had  administered  medi- 
cine to  body  and  soul : 


SPRING  OF   1862.  ir)3 

"  Doctor,  I  bless  God  that  you  ever  taught  me  the  way 
of  life  and  salvation.  I  have  been  a  poor  blind  sinner 
all  my  life  ;  but  now  I  feel  an  assurance  of  happiness  in 
heaven  through  Christ  my  Redeemer.  Oh,  I  hope  to 
meet  you  in  heaven,  and  bless  3'ou  there  for  the  interest 
3'ou  have  taken  in  my  soul's  salvation." 

This  physician  said  that  he  accepted  the  appointment 
of  army  surgeon  that  he  might  enjoy  the  privilege  of 
preaching  Christ  to  the  soldiers ;  a  rare  exception — he 
found  his  reward  in  the  success  of  his  pious  labors. 

From  the  hospital,  the  fire  of  holy  love  was  often  car- 
ried by  some  happ}'  soldier  to  the  camp,  and  gloriously 
re-kindled  there  among  his  comrades.  One  who  was  con- 
verted while  in  the  hospital,  on  returning  to  his  regiment 
made  known  the  blessed  change  in  his  life.  He  invited 
such  as  desired  a  similar  one  to  join  him  in  a  praver- 
meeting.  Five  met  with  him ;  the}'^  praj'cd  together,  and 
tiie  interest  extended  until  scores  became  anxious  on  the 
subject  of  salvation.  They  had  no  minister  with  them, 
but  one  came  from  another  regiment  and  preached  to 
them ; — as  the  result  of  this  effort,  no  bigger  than  a 
man's  hand  at  first,  more  than  one  hundred  professed 
faith  in  Christ. 

As  the  revival  progressed,  there  was  scarcely  any  situ- 
ation in  which  our  soldiers  could  be  placed  where  they 
did  not  find  God  ready  and  willing  to  pour  out  his  Spirit 
in  answer  to  earnest  pra3^er.  An  awakened  soldier  was 
converted  on  a  march, — when  a  minister  inquired  whe- 
ther he  had  yet  given  himself  to  Christ,  he  said,  "  Yes, 
I  have  found  him  !  Wli}',  sir,  when  we  set  off  on  that 
march  I  felt  such  a  weight  on  my  soul  that  I  could 
scarcely  drag  myself  along,  but  after  a  while  God  heard 
my  prayers,  and  then  the  burden  was  gone,  and  I  felt  as 
if  marching  was  no  trouble  at  all." 

In  the  midst  of  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  while  the 
conflict  was  raging,  and  a  chaplain  was  encouraging  the 
men  of  his  regiment  to  do  their  duty,  a  soldier  passed. 


154  TIIE   GKEAT   RE%T[VAL. 

and,  taking  the  hand  of  the  chaplain,  he  said,  "It  is  a 
glorious  thing  to  be  a  Christian."  His  face  was  radiant 
with  divine  peace  in  the  midst  of  a  storm  of  bullets. 
How  clearly  this  incident  illustrates  the  power  of  grace 
as  expressed  in  that  comforting  passage,  "Tiiou  wilt 
keep  him  in  perfect  peace  whose  mind  is  stayed  on  thee, 
because  he  trusteth  in  thee." 

Among  the  noble  men  who  fell  during  this  period  were 

two  faithful  chaplains,  Rev.  J.  W.  Timberlake  of  Florida, 

attached  to  the  2d  Florida  regiment,  and  Rev.  W.  H.  C. 

Cone  of  Georgia,  chaplain  of  the  19th  Georgia   regi- 

■  ment. 

Mr.  Timberlake  came  to  Virginia  in  feeble  health,  but 
was  indefatigable  in  his  exertions  to  promote  the  tempo- 
ral and  spiritual  welfare  of  his  regiment.  One  who  knew 
him  as  an  intimate  friend  says  : 

"  Mr.  Timberlake  was  certainly  a  model  man,  and  one 
whose  untiring  zeal  and  energy  in  the  cause  of  his  coun- 
try is  worthy  of  emulation,  and  whose  self-sacrificing  ob- 
servance of  duty  has  placed  him  in  a  premature  grave. 
His  devotion  to  our  sick  soldiers  while  in  the  city  of 
Richmond  left  a  remembrance  which  time  will  not  soon 
efface  from  the  hearts  of  his  many  friends  there." 

He  died  of  consumption  at  West  Point,  on  York  river, 
and  quietly  sleeps  beneath  the  soil  which  he  gladly  came 
to  defend. 

Rev.  Mr.  Cone  was  exhausted  and  broken  down  by 
long  marches  and  exposure  in  the  Peninsula.  "  Becom- 
ing very  warm  after  a  march,  he  imprudently  bathed  in 
a  stream  near  the  roadside,  which  produced  a  check  of 
perspiration,  terminating  in  typhoid  fever.  The  regi- 
ment being  on  the  retreat,  and  doing  picket  duty,  there 
was  but  little  accommodation  for  the  sick.  He  fell  be- 
hind, and  a  Presliyterian  clergyman  said  he  saw  him  1}'- 
ing  by  the  road  on  the  wet  ground,  where  the  mud  was 
si^lashed  on  him  by  the  passing  army.  He  was  taken  up 
and  sent  to  Richmond  in  a  delirious  state.     Not  beiai< 


SPRING  OF    1862.  155 

aVile  to  express  his  desires,  he  was  not  sent  to  tne 
Georgia  hospital." 

"  He  was  calm,  patient,  and  resigned,"  says  Rev.  Mr. 
Crumley,  who  was  with  him  in  his  last  hours,  "and  ex- 
pressed himself  as  having  given  all  up  into  the  hands  of 
God,  and  could  say,  'Thy  will  be  done.'  When  a  little 
dreamy,  he  would  say,  'My  dear  Jane,  don't  grieve  after 
me — all  is  for  the  best.'  Then  he  would  call,  'Jessie, 
come  Jessie,  and  let  me  kiss  you — be  a  good  child.' 

"On  Sabbath  morning,  having  lain  some  time  quiet, 
facing  my  window  that  commands  a  beautiful  landscape 
on  the  James  river  full  of  fishing  smacks,  and  beyond, 
the  green  wheat  fields,  with  the  darker  shades  of  clover 
fields  further  on,  and  the  distant  woods  all  lit  up  with  a 
bright  May  morning's  sun,  he  asked  me  to  turn  him  over 
and  straighten  him  on  the  bed.  Fixing  his  eyes,  as 
though  he  saw  heaven  opened,  he,  with  a  smile,  said, 
'  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly ;'  and  folding  his  arms 
on  his  bosom,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  calm  as  an  infant 
slumbers. 

'•We  buried  him  at  the  head  of  the  still  increasing 
host  of  our  noble  soldiers  who  have  fallen.  There  are 
oflScers,  surgeons,  and  soldiers.  He  is  the  only  chaplain 
among  the  fifteen  hundred  that  forms  that  pale  and  quiet 
congregation." 


156  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

SUMMER    OF     1862. 

The  Spring  closed  brightly  on  the  Confederate  cause. 
The  successful  evacuation  of  Corinth  was  a  strategic 
victory.  The  campaign  of  Jackson  in  the  Valley  of  Vir- 
ginia was  as  brilliant  and  rapid  as  that  of  Napoleon  in 
Italy.  In  little  more  than  twenty  days,  he  marched  over 
two  hundred  miles  through  a  mountainous  region,  fought 
four  battles  and  a  number  of  skirmishes,  killed  and 
wounded  great  numbers  of  the  enemy,  took  3,000  prison- 
ers and  millions  of  dollars'  worth  of  stores  of  all  kinds, 
besides  destroying  vast  quantities,  chased  Gen.  Banks 
out  of  Virginia  and  across  the  Potomac  river ;  and  all 
this  with  a  loss  of  less  than  two  hundred  of  his  own 
army.  When  we  add  to  this  his  subsequent  march  up 
the  Valley,  his  strategy  against  Gen.  Fremont,  and  his 
decisive  victory  over  Gen.  Shields,  the  severest  military 
critics  must  admit  that  the  game  of  war  was  never  more 
successful  in  the  hands  of  any  of  the  great  masters  of 
that  dreadful  art. 

The  Christian  hero  of  this  victorious  army  did  not  for- 
get the  htmd  that  led  him  to  conquest.  Though  com- 
pelled to  spend  a  Sabbath  in  chasing  the  Federals  out 
of  the  Valley,  he  rested  the  next  day,  and  devoted  a 
portion  of  it  to  religious  services.  The  following  is  an 
extract  from  his  General  Order  to  the  troops  : 

"The  General  Commanding  would  warmly  express  to 
the  officers  and  men  under  his  command  his  joy  in  their 
achievements,  and  his  thanks  for  their  brilliant  gallantry 
in  action,  and  their  patient  obedience  under  the  hard- 
ships of  forced  marches,  often  more  painful  to  the  brave 
soldier  than  the  dangers  of  battle.     The  explanation  of 


SUMMER   OF    1862.  157 

the  severe  exertions  to  which  the  Commanding  General 
called  the  army,  which  were  endured  by  them  with  such 
cheerful  confidence  in  him,  is  now  given  in  the  victory  of 
3'^esterday.  He  receives  this  proof  of  their  confidence  in 
the  past  with  pride  and  gratitude,  and  asks  only  a  simi- 
lar confidence  in  the  future.  But  his  chief  duty  to-day, 
and  that  of  the  army,  is  to  recognize  devoutly  the  hand 
of  a  protecting  Providence  in  the  brilliant  successes  of 
the  last  three  daj^s,  which  have  given  us  the  result  of  a 
great  victory  without  great  losses,  and  to  make  the  obla- 
tion of  our  thanks  to  God  for  his  mercies  to  us  and  our 
countr}^  in  heartfelt  acts  of  religious  worship.  For  this 
purpose  the  troops  will  remain  in  camp  to-day,  suspend- 
ing, as  far  as  practicable,  all  military  exercises,  and  the 
chaplains  of  regiments  will  hold  divine  service  in  their 
several  charges  at  4  o'clock  P.  M.  to-day." 

The  victories  of  Jackson  in  the  Valley  were  speedily 
followed  by  the  hard-fought  battle  of  Seven  Pines.  lu 
the  evening  of  the  first  day  of  this  battle,  Gen.  Joseph 
E.  Johnston  was  severely  wounded,  and  Gen.  R.  E,  Lee 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  arra3\  Nearl}^  the  whole 
month  of  June  was  spent  in  active  preparations  for  the 
great  struggle  which  was  to  decide  the  fate  of  Richmond. 
Gen.  McClellan's  immense  army,  with  every  appliance  of 
modern  warfare,  lay  below  the  city,  and  graduall}^  ap- 
proached under  cover  of  immense  earthworks  and  en- 
trenched camps.  The  Confederate  General,  having  com- 
pleted his  arrangements  for  the  attack  on  the  "grand 
army,"'  opened  the  battle  on  the  26th  of  June  b}^  a  spir- 
ited assault  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  Federal  forces. 
Meanwhile,  General  Jackson,  having  been  heavily  rein- 
forced, came  swiftly  down  from  the  Valley,  and  took  a 
position  from  whence  he  could  fall  upon  the  rear  of  the 
enemy.  The  Confederates  were  now  read}'^  to  open  the 
great  battle. 

On  that  memorable  Thursday  afternoon  the  daily  union 
prayer-meeting  of  the  city  was  held  in  the  First  Baptist 
7a 


158  THE   GIIEAT   RE'VaVAL. 

church.  It  began  at  4  o'clock,  and  nearly  at  the  same 
hour  the  booming  cannon  announced  the  opening  of  the 
struggle. 

Deeply  solemn  and  earnest  were  the  prayers  offered 
up  for  the  success  of  our  arms,  inexpressible  were  the 
feelings  of  the  Christians  there  assembled  as  they  thouglit 
of  their  loved  ones  just  then  entering  "the  perilous  edge 
of  battle."  After  an  hour  spent  in  the  most  devout  ex- 
ercises, the  meeting  closed ;  and  while  some  retired  to 
their  homes  to  renew  their  prayers  in  secret,  many  others, 
with  hundreds  from  every  part  of  the  city,  repaired  to 
the  range  of  hills  in  the  northern  suburbs,  from  whence 
tbe  "confused  noise  of  the  warriors"  could  be  heard  and 
the  smoke  of  battle  seen  slowl}^  rising  above  the  dense 
forests  of  the  Chickahomin3\ 

As  darkness  gathered,  the  scene  became  grander  and 
more  impressive.  The  groups  of  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, crowning  the  hill-tops,  some  conversing  in  under- 
tones, many  silent  and  awe-struck,  others  with  lips  mov- 
ing and  eyes  upraised  to  heaven  in  silent  pra3'er,  the 
smoke  of  battle  settling  along  the  intervening  valleys, 
the  strains  of  martial  music  floating  on  the  still  evening 
air,  as  the  long  lines  of  soldiers  marched  out  to  join  tlieir 
comrades  on  the  field  of  blood,  the  bomb-shells  from  the 
opposing  lines,  with  their  fiery  trains,  some  plunging 
amid  the  dark  woods,  others  bursting  in  their  flight  and 
raining  deadly  fragments  on  the  heads  of  the  struggling 
combatants,  the  sharp,  rattling  volleys  of  musketrj'^  min- 
gled with  the  roar  of  cannon,  the  thought  of  hundreds 
an  hour  before  in  joyous  health  now  wounded  and  dying, 
the  fate  of  the  beleaguered  city  and  its  helpless  thou- 
sands suspended  on  the  issues  of  the  fight — all  these  fur- 
nished the  elements  of  a  scene  truly  sublime,  and  filled 
the  mind  with  contending  emotions  of  hope  and  fear. 

The  contest  thus  begun  raged  with  varying  intensity 
nnd  results  for  six  days,  when  it  closed  with  the  terrific 
battle  of  Malvern  Hill.     The  Federal  army  was  driven 


SUMMER  OF   1862.  159 

from  ever}'^  position  with  immense  loss  in  men  and  muni- 
tions, and  forced  to  take  siielter  on  the  banks  of  James 
river,  thirty  miles  from  Richmond,  under  the  protection 
of  a  fleet  of  gun-boats. 

The   splendid   achievements  of  the  Confederate  army 
■  were  thus  announced  b^'  Gen.  Lee  in  an  address  to  his 
soldiers  : 

"The  General  Commanding,  profoundly  grateful  to  the 
'onl}^  Giver  of  all  Victory'  for  the  signal  success  with 
which  he  has  blessed  our  army,  tenders  his  warmest 
thanks  and  congratulations  to  the  army,  by  whose  valor 
such  splendid  results  have  been  achieved.  On  Thurs- 
day, June  26th,  the  powerful  and  thoroughly  equipped 
army  of  the  enemy  was  entrenched  in  works  vast  in  ex- 
tent, and  most  formidable  in  character,  within  sight  of 
our  capital.  To-day,  the  remains  of  that  confident  and 
threatening  host  lie  upon  the  banks  of  the  James  river, 
thirty  miles  from  Richmond,  seeking  to  recover,  under 
protection  of  his  boats,  from  the  effects  of  a  series  of 
disastrous  defeats." 

After  briefly  referring  to  the  defeat  and  pursuit  of  the 
enemy.  Gen.  Lee  says  : 

"  The  immediate  fruits  of  our  success  are  :  The  relief 
of  Richmond  from  a  state  of  siege,  ihe  rout  of  the  grand 
army  that  so  long  menaced  its  safety,  thousands  of  pris- 
oners, including  ofHcers  of  high  rank,  the  capture  or  de- 
struction of  stores  to  the  value  of  millions,  and  the  ac- 
quisition of  thousands  of  arms  and  51  pieces  of  superior 
artillery. 

"The  services  rendered  to  the  country  in  this  short, 
but  eventful  period,  can  scarcely  be  estimated ;  and  the 
General  Commanding  cannot  adequately'  express  his  ad- 
miration of  the  courage,  and  endurance,  and  soldierly 
conduct  of  the  officers  and  men  engaged.  These  bril- 
liant results  hnve  cost  us  msLny  brave  men  ;  but  while  we 
mourn  the  loss  of  our  gallant  dead,  let  us  never  forget 
that  they  died  nobly  in  defence  of  their  country's  free- 


160  Tim    GKEAT   KEVIVAL. 

dom,  and  have  linked  their  memory  with  an  event  that 
will  live  forever  in  the  hearts  of  a  grateful  people." 

This  series  of  battles  was  illustrated  b^'  man}'-  in- 
stances of  the  noblest  Christian  heroism.  The  model 
hero,  Jackson,  was  as  terrible  in  the  swamps  as  he  had 
been  in  the  mountains. 

Rev.  E.  W.  Yarbrough,  a  chaplain  in  the  army,  gives 
an  interesting  notice  of  this  great  and  honored  warrior : 

"Before  leaving,  Colonel  Zachry  proposed  to  show  me 
'Stonewall  Jackson,'  if  I  would  ride  with  him  a  short 
distance.  We  found  him  quartered  under  an  apple  tree, 
and  at  work  of  course.  My  first  impressions  of  this 
Southern  Boanerges  will  never  be  forgotten.  His  form 
is  slender,  not  very  erect,  and  of  medium  height.  His 
lion  heart  is  concealed  under  as  pleasant  a  countenance 
as  I  ever  saw.  Had  we  met  on  the  road  before  this  war 
broke  out,  I  would  have  taken  him  for  a  Methodist  itine- 
rant preacher  on  his  way  to  an  appointment  pondering  a 
most  serious  discourse.  Notwithstanding  all  the  feeble- 
ness of  form  and  sweetness  of  expression,  he  was  the 
hero  of  the  Valley,  having  clipped  the  wings  of  at  least 
four  soaring  Federal  Generals  in  a  short  time,  and  hav- 
ing thundered  upon  McClellan's  rear  simultaneously  with 
the  advance  of  our  forces  upon  his  front,  completely  un 
earthing  him,  and  then  joining  with  his  shouting  hosts  in 
the  most  glorious  pursuit  of  an  invading  foe  ever  re? 
corded. 

"You  are  aware  that  he  is  a  man  of  God.  On  that 
memorable  Thursday,  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight,  he  was 
seen  by  his  men  to  fall  upon  his  knees  and  there  remain 
for  several  moments,  with  his  right  hand  raised  to  heaven 
in  the  most  earnest  supplication.  He  is  almost  idolized 
by  his  men.  One  of  his  Aids  lost  his  right  arm  some 
time  since  in  an  engagement,  and  I  saw  him  a  few  days 
ago  in  the  saddle,  still  clinging  to  his  General  and  act- 
ing his  full  part.  He  is  not  the  only  David  in  our  army. 
Our  chieftain,  the  noble  Lee,  communes  with  God.  and 


suanrcn  of  1862.  161 

asks  for  reinforcements  from  on  High.  Bethel  Hill  is  a 
man  of  prayer,  and  a  host  of  others,  from  our  Chief  Mag- 
istrate down,  daily  invoke  the  intervention  of  Heaven  in 
our  behalf." 

The  expressions  that  fell  from  the  lips  of  the  Chris- 
tian soldiers  slain  during  this  bloody  week  are  worthy  of 
a  permanent  place  in  the  annals  of  their  country. 

Mr.  Yarbrough.  speaking  of  the  part  the  35th  Georgia 
bore  in  one  of  the  battles,  says  : 

"Our  Adjutant,  J.  H.  Ware,  was  killed.  As  Colonel 
Thomas  bent  over  him,  the  heroic  youth  grasped  his 
hand  and  delivered  his  dying  message  :  'My  dear  Colo- 
nel, tell  my  mother  that  I  fell  in  the  discharge  of  my 
duty,  and  died  happy  J  " 

Another  gallant  soldier  received  his  death-wound,  and 
lay  gasping  on  the  ground  ;  as  the  roar  of  battle  sounded 
in  his  ears,  he  asked  a  friend  near  how  the  fight  was  go- 
ing. "Are  we  whipping  them?"  said  the  dying  man. 
"We  are,"  replied  his  friend.     "Then  I  die  satisfied." 

"Say  to  my  father,"  said  another,  "that  all  is  well 
between  me  and  my  Saviour ;  tell  him  to  meet  me  in 
heaven." 

Another,  carried  from  the  battle-field  with  a  dreadful 
wound,  said  to  his  sister  who  sat  by  him,  "Sister,  I  am 
going  home  to  heaven — I  am  so  glad  it  is  such  a  good 
home." 

B.  F.  Leitner  was  wounded  while  bearing  the  colors  of 
the  2d  South  Carolina  regiment : 

"  Though  shot  down,  he  did  not  suffer  the  flag  to  fall, 
but  kept  it  upright,  floating  proudly  in  the  battle-storm, 
until  he  transferred  the  sacred  charge  to  another,  saying, 
'  Bear  it  forward  and  never  let  it  fall.'  He  was  after- 
wards removed  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Perdue,  Manchester, 
where  he  was  kindly  cared  for  till  he  died.  Just  before 
his  death,  Capt.  Leitner  writes  :  '  I  asked  him  what  he 
would  have  me  write  to  father  and  mother  about  his  end. 
'Write,'  said  he,  '1  die  happy.     My  confidence  in  God 


162  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

and  our  Saviour  is  unshaken.  I  am  going  to  lieaven.'  T 
asked,  'Doj'ou  know  that  you  are  dying?'  'Yes,'  was 
the  answer,  '  and  I  am  glad  of  it ;  I  want  to  join  the 
army  of  Jesus  Christ.'  " 

A  young  soldier,  soon  after  he  was  shot,  said  to  a  com- 
rade : 

"  My  wound  is  mortal ;  I  shall  never  see  my  father  and 
sisters,  but  tell  them  I  died  at  my  post  and  in  the  dis- 
charge of  my  dut3^  Tell  my  friends  not  to  grieve  for 
me,  but  to  meet  me  in  heaven." 

Another,  with  that  strange  presentiment  of  death  which 
so  often  with  soldiers  precedes  the  fatal  event,  said  to 
his  brotlier  just  before  a  battle  : 

"  I  shall  be  in  a  battle  shortly,  and  I  expect  to  fall ;  if 
I  do,  tell  my  parents  it  will  be  all  well  with  me." 

A  soldier,  on  coming  home  with  a  fatal  wound,  said  to 
his  mother  as  she  met  him,  taking  out  his  Bible  : 

"Mother,  here  is  the  Bible  you  gave  me — I  have  made 
good  use  of  it."  He  died  in  triumph,  exclaiming,  "Not 
my  will,  but  thine,  O  God,  be  done." 

As  a  brave  young  man  was  being  carried  from  the  field 
dreadfully  mangled,  he  stopped  the  bearers  and  told  them 
he  was  dying;  "but,"  he  added,  "it  is  all  well  with  me — 
I  am  not  afraid  to  die." 

Another  wrote  to  a  friend  a  day  or  two  before  the  bat- 
tle in  which  he  fell : 

"You  inquire  in  reference  to  my  religious  condition. 
Though  I  do  not  live  altogether  up  to  my  duties,  yet  I 
do  not  fear  death ;  and  if  it  be  the  will  of  God  to  take 
me,  I  feel  willing  to  go;  yet  I  would  prefer  to  live.  I 
put  my  trust  in  the  merits  of  a  crucified  Redeemer,  and 
depend  on  him  alone  for  salvation.  I  would  like  to  live 
to  see  you  all  again,  but  if  God  determines  otherwise,  I 
hope  we  will  meet  in  heaven." 

Again  this  Christian  soldier  wrote  : 

"Ma}^  heaven  grant  that  if  I  fall  a  martyr  in  the  cause 
of  mv  country,  my  kindred  and  their  posterity  may  be 


siT:kiMER  OF  18G2.  1G3 

proud  that  they  had  a  relative  who  offered  his  life  upon 
the  altar  of  liberty.  If  I  fall,  I  hope  3^011  will  hear  that 
I  died  bravely." 

"The  desire  of  his  heart  was  gratified,"  said  his  bro 
ther;  "he  died  as  a  hero,  in  front  of  the  foe,  on  the 
bloodiest  field  of  the  war,  and  was  buried  without  a  cof- 
fin near  the  spot  where  he  fell.  We  leave  him  to  sleep 
in  his  soldier  grave,  in  the  sacred  soil  of  distant  Virgi- 
nia ;  but,  in  the  morning  of  the  resurrection,  we  shall 
hope  to  meet  him  where  the  battle's  thunder  is  never 
heard,  and  where  the  smile  of  God  shall  fill  our  hearts 
with  peace  forever." 

Such  was  the  end  of  Wateman  Glover  Bass,  a  noble 
Georgia  soldier. 

Said  a  young  soldier  to  one  of  his  comrades,  as  they 
were  standing  in  line  of  battle,  waiting  for  the  order  to 
advance : 

"  This  is  a  solemn  time,  I  intend  to  do  my  duty,  and 
am  willing  to  spill  my  blood  freely  for  my  country."  In 
his  last  letter  home,  he  had  said  to  the  loved  ones  :  "  It 
I  see  you  no  more,  I  have  a  good  hope  of  meeting  you 
in  heaven."  He  saw  them  no  more,  for  as  he  moved  for- 
ward in  the  front  rank  he  was  pierced  b}^  a  ball  and  fell 
dead  instantly. 

Another  said,  as  he  moved  on  :  "  If  I  fall  in  battle,  all 
is  well ;"  and  another,  to  the  last  question  of  a  friend  : 
"If  I  fall  on  the  field  of  battle,  I  shall  be  safe,  for  I 
know  in  whom  I  have  believed,  and  he  will  keep  what  I 
have  committed  to  his  charge." 

A  brave  man,  writing  to  his  wife  after  a  terrible  bat- 
tle, said  of  his  feelings  during  the  action  : 

"For  my  part,  fear  was  dispelled.  I  felt,  though  ] 
should  fall  a  victim  to  the. enemy's  balls,  I  had  a  hous6 
in  heaven.  With  such  feelings,  I  endeavored  to  discharge 
my  duty  in  the  best  possible  manner."  In  a  subsequent 
engagement,  in  which  he  was  killed,  he  said,  on  begin- 
ning the  fight :  "  If  I  fall,  it  shall  be  well  with  me." 


164  THE    OIIEAT    REVaVAL. 

Another  exclaimed  just  before  he  died  : 

"  Oh,  what  joy  !  What  boundless  bliss  !  How  my  soul 
exults  in  the  prospect  of  being  so  soon  released  from  the 
sorrows  of  earth  and  initiated  into  the  joys  of  heaven. 
Tell  all  ray  friends  to  meet  me  in  heaven." 

A  no])le  young  Virginian  said  to  a  comrade,  as  he  lay 
mortally  wounded  on  the  blood}'^  field  : 

"It  is  sweet  to  die  for  one's  country — I  would  not 
have  it  otherwise." 

As  a  captain  stood  by  one  of  his  men  who  was  dying, 
the  soldier  said  to  him  : 

"Captain,  I  am  going  to  die — death  has  no  terrors  for 
me — I  do  not  fear  to  die — there  is  a  beauty  in  death. 
Give  my  love  to  all  at  home,  and  tell  them  I  die  in  a 
good  cause — fighting  for  my  country,  and  in  Christian 
faith.  Captain,  you  have  been  kind  to  me.  Captain, 
quit  swearing  and  try  to  meet  me  in  heaven."  Then, 
pressing  the  hand  of  his  ofl!lcer,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus. 

An  officer,  passing  over  the  blood}'^  battle-field  of  Fra- 
zier's  Farm,  saw  a  soldier  kneeling  with  eyes  and  hands 
wpraised  to  heaven  ;  on  approaching  and  touching  him, 
he  found  him  dead. 

Among  the  many  Christian  soldiers  who  fell  in  the 
seven  da3^s'  fighting  around  Richmond,  no  man  has  a 
brighter  record  for  virtue,  religion,  and  patriotism,  than 
Colonel  Robert  A.  Smith,  of  the  44th  Georgia  regiment. 
He  was  a  resident  of  Macon,  Ga.,  and  greatly  beloved 
and  honored  by  his  townsmen.  In  a  brief  tribute  to  his 
memory,  they  said  of  him  : 

"As  a  lawyer,  he  attained  a  high  degree  of  proficiency 
in  his  profession,  to  which  he  devoted  himself  with 
prayerful  energy,  and  in  his  practice  he  never  swerved 
from  the  teachings  of  his  conscience.  Day  after  day  he 
became  more  and  more  spiritual,  drifting  farther  and 
farther  from  the  world  and  'nearer,  nearer  home;'  and, 
turning  a  deaf  ear  to  the  sjTcn  tones  of  ambition,  heard 
but  the  divine  assurance,  '  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart, 


suaniEu  OF  1862.  105 

for  they  shall  see  God.'  And  whether  weeping  o'er  the 
grave  of  the  wife  of  his  early  manhood,  kneeling  by  the 
bedside  of  the  dying  Lazarus,  pleading  with  the  felon  in 
his  cell  for  mercy  from  on  high,  or  in  the  halls  of  pleas- 
ure trying  to  steer  the  bark  of  the  giddy  and  thoughtless 
toward  a  better  and  a  brighter  world,  in  the  camp  or  in 
the  bivouac,  on  the  march  or  in  battle,  he  was  always 
the  same  good,  true,  brave.  Christian  man.  He  gave 
generously  of  his  worldl}-  possessions,  and  the  poor  and 
the  friendless,  the  widow  and  the  orphan,  weeping  around 
the  grave  where  they  buried  their  benefactor,  tell  more 
eloquentl}^  than  w^ords  how  he  had  lived.  His  life  was 
a  living  poem. 

"  'He  did  noble  acts,  nor  dreamed  them  all  day  long. 
And  made  his  life,  death  and  that  vast  forever 
One  grand,  sweet  song.' 

"And  one  who  knew  him  long  and  knew  him  well 
says : 

"'No  man  was  more  severe  upon  his  own  faults  or 
more  charitable  toward  those  of  others.' 

"As  a  Christian,  so  he  was  a  patriot.  At  the  inception 
of  the  war,  at  the  head  of  his  gallant  little  band,  the 
Macon  Volunteers,  he  tendered  his  services  and  was  or- 
dered to  Norfolk,  Va.  After  giving  to  his  company  an 
enviable  reputation  and  discharging  his  duties  for  nearly 
twelve  months,  he  was  elected  Colonel  of  the  Forty-fourth 
Georgia  regiment.  His  exposure  and  unceasing  labors 
to  perfect  his  regiment  produced  the  disease  which,  in 
connection  with  his  wounds,  caused  his  death.  In  his 
soldier  life,  his  character  was  as  spotless  and  consistent 
as  in  the  peaceful  days  before.  When  the  daj^'s  work 
was  done,  he  was  wont  to  gather  his  command  around 
him,  and  reading  a  lesson  from  the  Bible,  pray  the  Giver 
of  all  good  for  guidance  and  protection. 

"When  his  regiment  left  Goldsboro  for  Richmond, 
though  having  suffered  for  weeks  with  sickness,  he  re- 
fused to  remain  behind.     At  Petersburg,  on  account  ol 


1G6  THE   GKICAT    RE^^VAL. 

his  serious  illness,  Gen.  Walker  deemed  it  unadvisable 
to  apprise  him  of  the  departure  of  his  regiment.  He 
thus  wrote  to  a  friend  :  'I  learned  of  their  departure  af- 
ter tho}^  left,  and  I  sat  on  the  railroad  side  till  midnight 
to  come  with  Gen.  Walker,  and  came  ivith  him  notwith- 
standing his  grumbling." 

"On  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Ellyson's  Mill  he  was 
so  feeble  and  exhausted  by  long  sickness  that  it  was  ab- 
solutely necessary  to  assist  him  on  and  olT  his  horse. 
He  was  so  weak  that  it  was  with  difficulty  he  could  sit 
upright  in  his  saddle.  But  his  brave  spirit  and  inflexi- 
ble, iron  will  refused  to  succumb.  Emaciated  and  ex- 
hausted as  he  was,  he  yet  unfalteringly  led  his  regiment 
through  that  deadly  tempest  of  shot  and  shell  until  he 
fell,  three  times  wounded.  After  he  had  fallen,  to  those 
wlio  went  to  assist  him  he  would  still  cry,  'Charge,  men  ! 
charge  !'  It  was  a  Marmion  scene.  With  much  reluct- 
ance he  tlien  consented  to  be  carried  off  the  field  of  car- 
nage. Two  days  later  the  brave  soldier  and  Christian  war- 
rior breathed  his  last,  and  angel  A'oices  in  choral  strains 
bade  his  hero  soul  welcome  to  '  home,  sweet  home.' " 

Worthj^  to  stand  by  the  side  of  Colonel  Smith  was 
Major  John  Stewart  Walker,  of  the  loth  Virginia  regi- 
ment, who  closed  a  useful  and  holy  life  on  the  bloody 
hill  of  Malvern.  He  entered  the  army  from  a  sense  ot 
duty.  The  pomp  and  circumstance  of  war  had  no 
charms  for  him  apart  from  the  principles  involved.  As 
the  captain  of  a  company,  he  joined  the  Army  of  the 
Peninsula,  and  nobly  slmred  in  that  arduous  campaign, 
which,  opening  with  the  battle  of  Bethel,  closed  with  the 
evacuation  of  Yorktown.  He  was  a  friend  and  father 
to  the  young  men  whom  he  led  to  the  war.  He  watched 
over  their  health  and  their  morals,  and  thus  gained  their 
confidence  and  love.  During  the  dreary  days  spent  m 
winter  quarters,  he  provided  a  library  of  select  reading 
for  his  men,  and  thus  relieved  while  he  instructed  and 
elevated  their  minds. 


suarMER  OF  1862.  167 

ITpon  the  reorganization  of  the  army,  in  the  spring  of 
1862,  he  was  elected  ]\Iajor  of  the  loth  Virginia  regi- 
ment, and  by  his  firmness,  valor,  and  Christian  deport- 
ment, soon  gained  the  hearts  of  the  regiment.  A  simple 
but  touching  incident  will  show  that  the  weapons  of  his 
warfare  were  not  wholly  carnal :  After  his  death  there 
was  taken  from  his  pocket  a  little  volume  stained  on  the 
back  and  leaves  with  his  heart's  blood.  It  was  found  to 
lie  a  sort  of  Scripture  Diary,  containing  selected  pas- 
sages suitable  for  each  day  in  the  3^ear,  with  comments 
selected  from  the  most  eminent  writers  on  practical  re- 
ligion. This  little  book  seems  to  have  been  the  constant 
companion  of  his  Bible,  and  many  of  the  most  striking 
passages  and  comments  were  marked  in  pencil.  The 
following  are  the  texts  marked  from  the  25th  of  June, 
the  day  before  the  series  of  battles,  to  the  27th,  the  day 
of  the  fierce  conflict  at  Gaines'  Mill.  Amidst  all  the 
preparations  for  the  death  struggle  his  mind  dwelt  on 
spiritual  things  : 

June  2.5. — "But  I  would  not  have  you  ignorant,  breth- 
ren, concerning  those  which  are  asleep,  that  ye  sorrow 
not  even  as  others  which  have  no  hope  ;  for  if  we  believe 
that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so  them  also  that 
sleep  in  Jesus  will  God  bring  with  him." — 1  Thess.  iv  : 
13,  14. 

"  It  is  the  most  melancholy  circumstance  in  the  fune- 
rals of  our  Christian  friends,  wlien  we  have  laid  their 
bodies  in  the  dark  and  silent  grave,  to  go  home  and 
leave  them  behind  ;  but,  alas  !  it  is  not  we  that  go  home 
and  leave  them — no  ;  it  is  they  that  are  gone  to  the  bet- 
ter world,  and  left  us  behind." 

"The  angel  of  the  Lord  encampeth  round  about  them 
that  fear  him." — Psalms  xxxiv  :  7. 

"  In  sorrow  the  angels  are  around  us  ;  they  came  to  the 
Saviour  in  that  garden  of  agon}^  where  such  a  cup  of 
sorrow  was  pressed  to  his  lips  as  his  people  never  drank, 
and  he  was  strengthened.     So  they  visit  the  chamber  of 


168  TIIE   GREAT    REVIVAL 

sickness,  where  the  good  man  lies,  and  minister  unto  bim 
when  all  earthly  comforters  fail.  They  call  the  saint  to 
follow  them  ;  they  take  him  on  their  wings  and  bear  his 
soul  to  heaven." 

"  And  he  went  a  little  further  and  fell  on  his  face,  and 
prayed,  saying :  '  Oh,  my  father,  if  it  be  possible,  let 
this  cup  pass  from  me ;  nevertheless,  not  as  I  will,  but 
as  thou  wilt.' " — Matt,  xxvi :  39. 

"The  poorest  circumstances  in  life,  with  a  religions 
spirit  of  resignation,  are  far  better  than  the  greatest 
abundance  and  highest  honors  without  it ;  for  these  can 
never  give  that  peace  of  mind  which  the  other  can  never 
want." 

"  But  the  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered." — 
Matt,  xvi :  30. 

"  Let  the  world  imagine  to  itself  a  magnificent  Deity, 
whose  government  is  only  general ;  the  Christian  re- 
joices in  his  providential  superintendence  of  the  smallest 
matters." 

"  And  take  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God." — Eph.  vi :  17. 

It  was  a  two-edged  blade, 

Of  heavenly  temper  keen, 
And  double  were  the  wounds  it  made 

Where'er  it  glanced  between. 
'Twas  death  to  sin — 'twas  life 

To  all  who  mourned  for  sin  ; 
It  kindled  and  it  silenced  strife — • 

Made  war  and  peace  within. 

Friday,  June  27. — "And  whosoever  doth  not  bear  his 
cross  and  come  after  me  cannot  be  my  disciple," — Luke 
xvi:  27. 

"  Every  Christian  should  be  a  martyr  in  spirit." 
Such  were  the  truths  upon  which  he  stayed  his  soul ; 
and  sustained  and  comforted  by  them,  he  went  calmly. 


sumjVier  of  1862.  169 

with  God,  and  had  the  blessed  assurance  that  he  pleased 
him. 

An  officer  of  his  regiment,  who  knew  him  long  and 
intimately,  gave  the  following  testimony  to  his  religion 
and  patriotism : 

"Leaving  his  family  and  home  early  in  the  contest, 
he  was  alwaj's  found  at  his  post.  He  avoided  no  dan- 
ger and  shunned  no  responsibility  which  demanded  his 
presence.  As  captain  of  a  company,  and  commandant 
of  a  regiment,  he  won  the  love  and  confidence  of  his 
men.  They  knew  that  he  would  never  order  them  where 
he  was  not  willing  to  lead  the  way.  When  I  sa}'  that 
duty  was  his  watchword,  I  sa}-  all.  The  last  word  that 
I  heard  him  utter,  far  in  advance  of  his  regiment,  amidst 
a  shower  of  shot  and  shell,  was  Fornard!  and  with  that 
glorious  utterance  for  soldier  or  for  saint,  he  fell  pierced 
by  a  deadly  ball. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  separate  his  character  as  a  soldier 
and  as  a  Christian.  He  was  a  soldier  because  he  was  a 
Christian ;  and  while  he  fought  manfully  against  the 
enemies  of  his  country,  his  fervent  spirit  labored  and 
fought  earnestly  against  the  enemies  of  his  Lord.  The 
Word  of  God  was  his  light  in  camp,  and  the  tumult  of 
war  did  not  disturb  his  daily  devotions.  I  believe  he 
prayed  without  ceasing,  and  that  in  his  last  end  the  arms 
of  the  Everlasting  One  were  under  him. 

"  The  deadly  ball  that  pierced  his  body  could  not 
pierce  the  panoply  with  which  God  had  armed  him,  but 
he  fell  as  a  Christian  should  fall,  with  his  harness  on  at 
the  post  of  duty.     He  rests  from  his  warfare." 

Amidst  the  storm  of  battle  this  Christian  warrior  fell. 
From  the  field  of  blood  his  spirit  ascended  to  heaven. 
How  sudden,  how  vast,  how  glorious,  the  change  !  From 
the  rush  of  contending  hosts,  from  the  thunder  of  can- 
non, and  the  fierce  rattle  of  musketry,  he  rose  to  the 
joys  and  songs  and  beauteous  scenes  of  Paradise. 

The  death  of  Lieutenant  Virgil  P.  Shewmake,  of  the 
8 


170  THE    OKEAT    nEVlA*AL. 

The  death  of  Lieutenant  Virgil  P.  Shewmake,  of  the 
3d  Georgia  regiment,  was  another  bright  testimonial  to 
the  value  of  our  holy  religion  : 

"Though  young,  having  just  entered  his  21st  year 
when  he  joined  the  army,  none  of  the  temptations  inci- 
dent to  camp-life  moved  him  from  his  Christian  integrity 
and  gentlemanly  propriety.  Severely  wounded,  and  his 
right  arm  amputated,  twenty  days  after  the  battle  of 
Malvern  Hill  he  breathed  his  last  in  the  triumphs  of 
Christian  faith.  Frequent  conversations  were  held  be- 
tween himself  and  father  on  the  subject  of  his  religious 
hopes,  and  he  ever  concluded  with,  '  If  I  die,  tell  mother 
and  sisters  to  meet  me  in  heaven.'  On  the  day  of  his 
death,  he  asked  his  father  what  he  now  thought  of  his 
case.  With  aching  heart  his  father  replied  :  '  I  think, 
my  son,  you  will  die.'  '  How  long,  then,  do  you  think  I 
will  live?'  'Perhaps  till  night,  possibly  through  the 
night.'  Then,  turning  his  face  from  his  father,  he  most 
fervently  and  pathetically  prayed  God  that,  if  consis- 
tent with  his  will,  he  would  spare  him  to  reach  home,  and 
once  more  see  his  dear  mother  and  sisters.  If  he  willed 
otherwise,  then  to  bless  them  and  his  dear  father  with 
grace  to  live  so  that  they  might  all  meet  him  in  heaven. 
A  short  time  before  he  expired,  he  was  seen  to  shudder 
and  slightly  struggle.  After  this,  lying  quiet  a  moment, 
he  turned  to  his  father,  and  with  animation  said  :  *Pa,  is 
this  death  ?'  who,  with  choking  utterance,  replied  :  '  Yes, 
my  son,  you  are  dying.'  'Then,  Pa,  it  is  easy  to  die — I 
thought  it  would  be  hard.'  Calling  his  comrades  who 
were  present,  he  with  great  composure  bade  them  all  fare- 
well, then  extending  his  hand  to  his  father,  said  :  '  Good- 
bye, Pa ;  meet  me  in  heaven ;  tell  mother  and  sisters  I 
have  gone  to  heaven  and  to  meet  me  there.'  A  few  mo- 
ments after  this  affecting  scene,  he  calmly,  gently  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus." 

It  is  a  sad  yet  pleasing  task  to  record  such  instances 
of  religious  heroism.     It  shows  how  deep  and  genuine 


8UMMER  OK   1862.  171 

was  the  piety  that  not  only  cheered  our  soldiers  amidst 
the  usual  hardships  of  war,  but  sustained  them  in  the 
hour  of  mortal  agony,  and  opened  to  the  eye  of  faith 
the  glorious  prospect  of  life  eternal.  The  solemn  hour 
of  death  fully  tests  the  religious  life,  strips  the  soul,  and 
leaves  it  bare  to  its  own  inspection,  reveals  tlie  true 
character  of  our  motives,  and  the  real  bearings  of  our 
aciious  upon  our  future  destiny. 

To  such  a  test  thousands  in  the  armies  of  the  South 
were  brought,  and  clear  and  happy  were  their  souls  in 
the  consciousness  of  dut}--  well  performed.  Truly,  our 
Christian  soldiers  died  well. 


172  THE   GREAT   RE^HVAL. 


CHAPTER  X. 

SUMMER     OF     1862. 

The  moral  impressions  of  the  sanguinary  battles 
around  Richmond  were  of  the  most  salutary  character. 
A  wounded  soldier,  referring  to  them,  said :  "  God 
preached  to  us  as  all  the  preachers  on  earth  could  not 
do." 

All  felt  that  tlie  hand  of  God  was  manifest  in  these 
tremendous  struggles.  A  pious  officer  wrote  immediately 
after  the  close  of  the  battles  : 

"Never  before  have  I  seen  so  clearly  and  powerfully 
intervened  in  our  behalf  the  right  arm  of  the  Lord  of 
hosts. 

"The  names  of  Lee,  Hill,  Jackson,  Magruder,  and 
others,  have  been  rendered  immortal  by  their  gallantry 
and  skill  so  strikingly  evinced  in  this  series  of  engage- 
ments ;  but  while  their  names  are  in  our  hearts  and  their 
praises  upon  our  tongues,  let  there  go  up  from  the  South- 
ern Confederacy  a  warm  and  a  universal  shout  of  "  Glory 
to  God  in  tlie  liighest ;"  for  had  not  God  been  with  us, 
we  must  have  been  almost  annihilated.  Such  will  be 
the  impression  upon  the  minds  of  all  who  may  hereafter 
traverse  tlie  battle-fields  with  a  correct  idea  of  the  posi- 
tions of  the  contending  parties." 

The  powerful  preaching  of  "the  seven  days'  fighting" 
is  thus  described  by  an  eye-witness  : 

"Probably  at  no  period  of  the  war  has  the  religious 
element  in  the  army  been  more  predominant  than  at 
present.  In  many  instances,  chaplains,  army  missiona- 
ries, colporteurs,  and  tracts,  have  accomplished  great 
benefits,  but  by  far  the  most  cogent  influences  that  have 
operated  upon  and  subdued  the  reckless  spirit  of  the 


su>rMER  OF  1862.  17.*^ 

soldier}'^  are  those  which  are  born  in  the  heart  itself  upon 
the  field  of  battle.  There  is  something  irresistible  in 
the  appeal  wliich  the  Almighty  makes  when  he  strikes 
from  your  side,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  30ur  friend 
and  comrade,  and  few  natures  are  so  utterly  depraved  as 
to  entirely  disregard  the  whisperings  of  the  'still  small 
voice'  which  make  themselves  so  vividly  heard  at  such  a 
moment.  Every  man  unconsciously  asks  himself,  'Whose 
turn  will  come  next  ?'  and  when,  at  the  termination  of 
the  conflict,  he  finds  himself  exempted  from  the  awful 
fiat  that  has  brought  death  to  his  very  side,  and  all 
around  him,  his  gratitude  to  his  Creator  is  alloyed, 
though  it  ma}'  be  but  dimly,  with  a  holier  emotion,  which 
for  the  time  renders  him  a  wiser  and  a  better  man.  In 
this  respect,  the  recent  battles  have  done  more  to  make 
religious  converts  than  all  the  homilies  and  exhortations 
ever  uttered  from  tlie  pulpit.  A  man  who  has  stood 
upon  the  threshold  of  eternity,  while  in  the  din  and  car- 
nage of  a  figlit.  has  listened  to  eloquence  more  fier^'  than 
ever  came  from  mortal  lips. 

"  It  is  not  strange,  therefore,  as  you  go  through  vari- 
ous camps,  even  on  a  week-day,  that  your  ears  are  here 
and  there  saluted  with  the  melody  of  a  choir  of  voices, 
rich,  round,  and  full,  sung  with  all  the  seriousness  and 
earnestness  of  true  devotion  ;  or,  that  before  the  lights 
are  out  in  the  evening,  manly  tones  are  heard  in  thanks- 
giving for  the  blessings  of  the  day  ;  or,  that  when  Sunday 
arrives,  the  little  stand,  from  which  the  chaplain  is  wont 
to  discourse,  is  the  centre  of  a  cluster  of  interested  and 
pious  listeners. 

"In  many  of  the  regiments,  much  of  this  kindly  influ- 
ence is  due  to  the  pure  and  elevated  character  of  the 
officers.  Wherever  these  are  found,  you  invariably  also 
find  a  neat,  well-disciplined,  orderly,  quiet  command,  as 
prompt  in  the  camp  as  they  are  brave  upon  the  field. 
Now  and  then  you  maj'  hear  a  taunt  about  'our  praying 
chaplain,'  or  'colonel,'  but  even  these  thoughtless  expres- 


174  TIIE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

sions  come  from  men  who  venerate  their  officers,  and 
would  follow  them  to  the  death.  Some  of  our  ablest  gene- 
rals are  men  who  have  dropped  the  gown  for  the  apparel 
of  the  soldier.  Polk  was  a  Bishop,  Pendleton  a  clergy- 
man, D.  H.  Hill  a  religious  author,  Jackson  a  dignitar}'' 
of  the  Church,  while  scores  of  others,  occup3'ing  subordi- 
nate positions,  are  equally  well  known  for  their  devotion 
at  the  shrine  of  Christianity.  All  of  these  gentlemen  have 
been  eminentl}^  successful  in  whatever  they  have  under- 
taken, have  passed  unharmed  through  the  dangers  by 
which  they  have  been  frequently  environed,  and  are  liv- 
ing illustrations  of  the  truth  that  a  fighting  Cliristian  is 
as  terrible  to  his  enemies  as  he  is  gentle  to  his  friends." 

The  testimony  to  the  blessed  fact  of  God's  presence 
among  the  soldiers  is  most  abundant.  "God  is  in  the 
army,"  wrote  a  pious  man  ;  "  many  in  my  regiment  have 
passed  from  death  unto  life."  "One  hundred  of  ray 
regiment,"  said  a  chaplain,  "have  professed  conversion 
since  we  have  been  in  the  service." 

The  power  of  grace  to  sustain  and  comfort  the  be- 
liever amidst  the  hardships  and  dangers  of  war  is  richly 
illustrated  in  the  following  experience  of  a  pious  Elder 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  : 

"  I  have  been  in  the  active  service  of  my  countr}'  just 
four  months.  I  clieerfuUy  sundered  the  ties  that  bound 
me  to  my  little  paradise  of  a  home  in  Mississippi,  and 
came  out  to  the  war  because  I  believe  the  Lord  hath 
called  me.  I  viewed  the  contest  as  one  of  unparalled 
wrong  and  oppression  against  truth  and  the  right.  I 
was  persuaded  that  not  only  civil  liberty  but  evangelical 
religion  had  a  large  stake  at  issue  in  the  struggle.  My 
conscience,  therefore,  was  clear,  and,  in  following  tlie 
convictions  of  duty,  I  was  made  happy.  The  Lord  has 
been  most  gracious  in  according  to  me  daily  the  rich 
consolations  of  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  in  buckling  on 
my  armor  to  fight  the  battles  of  my  country.  He  has 
constantly  reminded  me  that  T  am  a  soldier  of  the  cross. 


SITADIER   OF    1862.  175 

and  that  I  owe  allegiance  to  him.  lie  has  favored  me 
with  many  precious  opportunities  of  doing  good,  of 
which,  in  an  humble,  unobtrusive  wa3%  I  liave  tried  to 
avail  myself.  His  grace  has  been  sufficient  for  mo 
amidst  all  my  trials  and  difficulties.  In  the  battle  of 
Seven  Pines,  in  which  we  lost  one-third  of  our  regiment 
in  about  twenty  minutes,  amid  the  most  terrific  shower 
of  shot  and  shell  of  this  whole  war,  the  Lord  not  only 
so  far  sustained  me  as  to  enable  me  to  stand  up  and  do 
my  duty  to  my  country,  but  to  do  it  without  the  least 
fear  of  anything  man  can  do  unto  me.  Nor  did  I,  as 
many  men  seem  to  do,  lose  sight  of  my  personal  danger. 
My  mood  was  so  calm  that  my  calculations  were  per- 
fectly rational.  T  felt  that  the  Lord's  hand  was  with 
me,  that  his  shield  was  over  me,  and  that  -whatever  be- 
fell me  would  be  by  his  agency  or  permission,  and  there- 
fore it  would  all  be  well  with  me.  It  was  a  })criod  of 
positive  religious  enjoyment,  and  yet  of  the  most  vigor- 
ous discharge  of  my  duties  as  a  soldier. 

'  Again,  at  the  battle  of  Gaines'  Mill,  or  Cold  Har- 
bor, on  Friday,  June  27th,  the  most  furious  of  tlic  whole 
series,  and  in  which  one-third  of  our  regiment  was  re- 
ported as  killed  and  wounded,  I  was  visited  with  the 
same  peace  of  mind  and  the  same  resolute  composure. 
The  two  battles  leave  me  with  nine  perforations  in  my 
clothing,  made  by  at  least  six  balls,  a  slight  contusion 
from  a  piece  of  bomb,  and  a  severe  wound  in  my  loft 
thigh,  a  large  ball  passing  clear  through,  ranging  l)e- 
tween  the  bone  and  femoral  artery.  Upon  perceiving 
it,  I  looked  down  and  discovered  the  hemorrhage  to  be 
very  copious.  I  supposed  at  once  that  tlie  artery  was 
involved,  and  that  I  would  live  but  a  short  time.  1  was 
not  only  not  afraid  to  die,  but  death  seemed  to  uie  a 
welcome  messenger.  Immediately  there  came  over  my 
soul  such  a  burst  of  the  glories  of  heaven,  such  a  ibre- 
taste  of  its  joys  as  I  have  never  before  experienced.  It 
was  rapturous  and  ecstatic  beyond  expression.    The  new 


176  TIIK   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

Jerusalem  seemed  to  rise  up  before  me  in  all  its  beauty 
and  attractiveness.  I  could  almost  hear  tlie  songs  of 
the  angels.  My  all-absorbing  thought,  however,  was 
about  the  Divine  Redeemer,  whose  arms  were  stretched 
out  to  receive  me.  So  completely  overwhelming  and 
exclusive  was  the  thought  of  heaven,  that  I  was  wholly 
unconscious  of  any  tie  that  bound  me  to  the  earth.  I 
was  still  standing  within  a  few  steps  of  where  I  was 
wounded,  and  yet  I  utterly  forgot  my  danger,  and  thought 
of  no  means  of  preserving  m}'  life.  There  I  stood  in 
the  midst  of  men.  and  where  deadl}'  missiles  were  flying 
thick  and  fast,  and  5-et  my  thoughts  were  completely 
abstracted  from  everything  around  me.  So  full}'  was 
God's  love  shed  al)ro;ul  in  nn*  heart,  and  so  delightful 
was  the  contemplation  of  the  offices  of  the  blessed  Sa- 
viour, that  I  coidd  think  of  nothing  else." 

Rev.  J.  M.  Stokes,  chaplain  in  Wright's  Georgia  bri- 
gade, says  of  the  religious  condition  of  the  troops : 

"  I  am  happy  to  state  that  the  health  of  our  troops 
seems  to  be  much  better  than  it  was  a  few  months  since. 
It  will  be  a  source  of  delight  to  Christians  and  all  think- 
ing people  to  know  that  the  religious  element  among 
our  troops  is  much  greater  now  than  at  any  time  previ- 
ous since  the  war  began.  I  believe  sincerely  that  there 
is  lesn  profanity  <n  a  iceek,  now,  than  there  was  in  a  day, 
six  months  ago.  And  I  am  quite  sure  there  are  ten  who 
attend  religious  services  noiv  to  one  xcho  attended  six  months 
ago.  I  speak  principally  with  reference  to  our  own  regi- 
ment, but  I  have  been  informed  by  those  who  have  tra- 
velled among  the  different  parts  of  the  army  in  Virginia 
that  such  is  the  case  everywhere." 

This  was  the  case  not  onl}^  in  the  army  in  Virginia, 
but  in  almost  every  other  department  of  the  South. 
Rev.  B.  H.  Perry,  writing  from  Columbus,  Miss.,  of 
the  state  of  religion  in  the  37th  Alabama  regiment, 
under  the  command  of  a  sincere  Christian,  Col.  Dowdell, 
savs  : 


stnvfMER  OF  1862.  IT? 

"  We  set  out  religiously,  by  having  preaching  twice  on 
Sabbath  and  prayer-meeting  twice  a  week.  A  goofl  in- 
fluence prevails,  and  a  high  moral  tone  has  characterized 
our  men  from  the  first.  The  sentiment  seems  to  be  rife 
among  us  that  instead  of  retrograding.  Christians  ought 
to  progress  decidedlj'  in  camp.  This  is  a  just  opinion, 
for  the  frequent  aud  unusual  temptations  which  they 
meet,  the  absence  of  those  restraints  and  associations 
that  ordinarily  sustain  them,  the  position  of  antagonism 
into  which  they  are  placed  perforce  in  the  resistance  of 
overt  sin,  and  the  simple  and  direct  reference  to  God  to 
which  they  are  shut  in,  as  it  were,  all  are  calculated  to 
develop  and  strengthen  the  principles  of  their  religion. 
We  have  had  a  protracted  meeting  at  night  for  a  week. 
There  have  been  nineteen  conversions  in  the  time,  two 
of  them  professing  in  their  tents  while  sick.  The  regi- 
ment numbers  something  over  1,000,  and  the  aggregate 
of  Church-members  is  245.  Many  of  those  who  have 
died  were  happy  and  triumphant. 

"  Our  Colonel  cares  for  his  men  with  a  Christian  con- 
science, and  the  other  field  and  staff  officers,  as  also 
those  of  the  companies,  are  for  the  most  part  religious 
men.  In  the  start,  the  Colonel  prescribed  the  public 
recognition  of  God  bj''  closing  dress  parade  with  prayer, 
and  this  order  we  observe  daily.  Oh  !  if  our  officers  did 
but  feel  that  '  except  the  Lord  build  the  house,  they 
labor  in  vain  that  build  it !'  " 

In  the  hospitals,  among  the  sick  and  wounded,  the 
power  of  grace  was  gloriously  revealed.  The  soldiers 
brought  with  them  from  the  battle-fields  the  solemn  im- 
pressions they  had  received  amidst  the  dreadful  scenes 
of  carnage.  "  Strange  as  it  may  appear  to  some,"  writes 
an  experienced  post  chaplain,  "  scores  of  men  are  con- 
verted immediately  after  great  battles.  This  has  be- 
come so  common  that  I  as  confidently  look  for  the  ar- 
rival of  such  patients  as  I  do  for  the  wounded.  It  is 
not  very  strange,  if  we  remember  that  before  they  went 


178  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

into  battle  they  had  been  serious  and  thoughtful.  Here 
God  covered  their  heads,  and  their  preservation  was 
A  manifestation  of  his  power  and  goodness  that  hum- 
bled their  souls.  'What  cause  for  gratitude  to  God  that 
1  was  not  cut  down  when  my  comrades  fell  at  my  side.* 
*  But  for  God  I  would  have  been  slain.'  '  I  do  not  see 
how  I  escaped.  I  know  that  I  am  under  renewed  obliga- 
tions to  love  him,  and  am  resolved  to  serve  him.'  'Af- 
ter the  battle  at  Malvern  Hill,  I  was  enabled  to  give  my 
soul  to  Christ — this  war  has  made  me  a  believer  in  reli- 
gion, sir,'  said  a  wounded  soldier.  These  and  other  ex- 
pressions show  how  God  is  working  out  his  purposes  of 
grace  and  wisdom  in  these  times  of  darkness  and  dis- 
tress." 

Among  the  many  thousands  of  wounded  that  filled  the 
Richmond  hospitals,  the  work  of  salvation  was  deep^  and 
general.  "The  Lord  is  witli  us  at  Seabrooks'  hospital," 
wrote  Rev.  W.  R,  Gwaltney ;  "  we  have  a  great  revival 
of  religion  here.  A  greater  one  I  scarcely  ever  wit- 
nessed. Rarel}^  a  day  passes  but  I  find  one  or  more 
new  converts.  The  number  in  our  hospital  is  being  rap- 
idlv  reduced,  many  being  transferred  to  other  places, 
and  many  having  died  ;  but  the  religious  element  in  oirr 
midst  is  bj^  no  means  dying  out.  A  large  number  are 
yet  enquiring,  'What  must  we  do  to  be  saved  ?'  Those 
who  have  professed  a  hope  in  Christ  seem  to  be  in  the 
full  enjoyment  of  faith." 

"I  am  happ3%"  saj's  another  minister,  "to  report  the 
manifest  tokens  of  the  presence  of  the  Spirit  among  us, 
even  in  these  times  of  strife  and  battle.  I  do  believe 
that  these  solemn  visitations  of  Providence  have  been 
His  chosen  way  of  touching  many  a  heart.  There  are 
earnest  desires  awakened  in  many  a  bosom,  which  I  trust 
will  lead  them  to  the  Cross.  I  believe  there  are  many  of 
our  brave  men  Ijnng  on  their  iiard  pallet  in  the  hospitals 
who  are  now  secretly  indulging  a  hope  in  Jesus ;  and  I 
console  myself  with  the  sweet  thought  that  others,  who 


SUMMEK    OF    18G2.  179 

have  never  told  it,  have  died  on  the  battle-fiehi  looking 
to  their  Saviour.  I  know  there  are  dreadful  exhibitions 
of  deliberate  wickedness,  but  Satan  ever  delights  in 
placing  his  abominations  in  the  porch  of  God's  temple. 
There  is  great  occasion  for  earnest  prayer  in  our  behalf. 
Brethren,  pray  for  us,  that  God  may  sanctify  his  deal- 
ings with  us  to  the  conversion  of  souls." 

Ministerial  labor  in  the  hospitals  was  a  blessed  work, 
and  those  who  gave  themselves  to  it  greatly  rejoiced  in 
the  success  tliat  attended  their  efforts.  That  saintly 
man,  Rev.  John.  W.  Miller,  who  has  lately  entered  into 
rest,  and  whom  many  of  our  soldiers  remember  as  post 
chaplain  at  Summerville,  South  Carolina,  saj's  of  his 
work  : 

"  We  have  had  some  to  die  peacefully  and  happily. 
One  poor  fellow  who  had  long  been  sick  with  tj^phoid 
fever  died  last  week.  When  I  questioned  him  about  his 
preparation  for  death,  his  answer  was  scarcely  articulate, 
but  in  his  thick  mutterings  I  could  distinguish  these 
blessed  words  of  trust  in  the  Saviour,  '  He  will  not  let  me 
perish.' 

"  Upon  asking  another  why  he  was  not  afraid  to  die, 
he  said  :  'Because  I  am  going  home  to  heaven,  through 
Christ.'  Another,  a  little  while  before  he  died,  said  :  '  I 
love  God.' 

"  I  find  a  number  of  them  are  members  of  the  Church. 
Testaments  are  greatly  coveted,  and  you  can  scarcely 
walk  through  the  wards  at  any  time  without  seeing  some 
of  them  engaged  in  reading  the  sacred  Word.  Divine 
service  has  been  held  several  times  for  the  convales- 
cents— and  we  frequently  assemble  them  for  evening 
prayer." 

"It  was  just  after  a  battle,  where  hundreds  of  brave 
men  had  fallen,"  writes  another  chaplain,  "and  where 
hundreds  more  were  wounded,  that  a  soldier  came  to  my 
tent  and  said :  '  Chaplain,  one  of  our  boys  is  badl}'^ 
wounded,  and  wants  to  see  you  right  away.'     Immedi- 


180  THE    GREAT    UKVIVAL. 

ately  following  the  soldier,  I  was  taken  to  the  hospital 
and  led  to  a  bed,  where  lay  a  noble  young  man,  pale  and 
blood-stained  from  a  terrible  wound  above  the  temple. 
I  saw  at  a  glance  that  he  had  but  a  few  hours  to  live. 
Taking  his  hand,  I  said  :  'Well,  my  brother,  what  can  I 
do  for  you  ?'  He  looked  up  in  my  face,  and  placing  his 
finger  where  his  hair  was  stained  with  blood,  he  said  : 
'Chaplain,  cut  a  big  lock  from  here  for  mother — for 
viother,  mind,  chaplain.'  I  hesitated  to  do  it.  '  Don't  be 
afraid,  chaplain,  to  disfigure  my  hair.  It's  for  mother, 
and  nobod}^  will  come  to  see  me  in  the  dead-house  to- 
morrow.' I  did  as  he  requested  me.  'Now,  cliaplain,' 
said  the  dying  man,  'I  want  you  to  kneel  down  by  me 
and  return  thanks  to  God.'  'For  what?'  I  asked.  'For 
giving  me  such  a  mother.  Oh,  chaplain,  she  is  a  good 
mother ;  her  teachings  comfort  and  console  me  now. 
And,  chaplain,  thank  God  that  by  his  grace  I  am  a  Chris- 
tian. Oh,  what  would  I  do  now  if  I  was  not  a  Chris- 
tian !  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth.  I  feel  that  his 
finished  work  has  saved  me.  And,  chaplain,  thank  God 
for  giving  me  dying  grace.  He  has  made  my  bed  feel 
•  soft  as  downy  pillows  are.'  Thank  him  for  the  prom- 
ised home  in  glory.  I'll  soon  be  there — there,  where 
there  is  no  more  war,  nor  sorrow,  nor  desolation,  nor 
death — where  I'll  see  Jesus  and  be  forever  with  the 
Lord.'  I  kneeled  by  him,  and  thanked  God  for  the 
blessings  he  had  bestowed  upon  him — a  good  mother,  a 
Christian  hope,  and  dying  grace  to  bear  testimony  to 
God's  faithfulness.  Shortly  after  the  praj'er,  he  said  : 
'  Good-b3'e,  chaplain ;  if  you  see  mother,  tell  her  it  was 
all  well.'  " 

In  the  Southern  army  were  many  mere  youths,  and 
among  these  there  were  found  not  a  few  rare  instances 
of  earnest  piety  maintained  amidst  all  the  evils  and 
temptations  of  camp  life.  The  following  illustrative  in- 
cident occurred  under  the  ministrations  of  Rev.  Dr.  John 
C.  McCabe,  one  of  the  post  chaplains  at  Richmond : 


SUMMER   OF    1862.  181 

"One  day,  in  making  his  usual  visitations,  Dr.  McCabe 
called  in  at  the  Maryland  hospital,  Richmond,  and  in 
malting  his  rounds,  was  attracted  to  the  bed  of  a  young 
and  delicate  boy,  suffering  from  the  effects  of  protracted 
fever.  The  little  fellow  had  seen  only  fourteen  summers, 
and  his  thin,  pale  face  bore  marks  of  disease  and  suffer- 
ing. The  following  occurred,  as  reported  by  the  chap- 
lain : 

" '  How  old  are  you,  my  son  ?'  said  the  reverend  gentle- 
man. 

"  'I  was  fourteen  my  last  birthday.' 

"  'Why,  that  is  very  young  to  be  in  the  army  ?' 

'"Yes,  sir ;  but  I  thought  it  my  duty.' 

" '  Where  are  you  from  ?' 

'•'Mississippi,  sir.' 

"  '  What  is  your  name  ?' 

" '  Dwight  Sherwood.' 

" '  Wh}^  that  is  a  Northern  name.' 

" '  Yes,  sir ;  my  father  was  a  Northern  man,  but  he 
has  lived  in  the  South  for  many  years,  and  is  a  good 
Southern  man.' 

"  '  And  your  mother,  where  is  she  ?' 

"  His  little  thin  lip  quivered,  as  he  said  with  an  effort 
to  suppress  emotion,  'She  is  dead.' 

"  'AVell,  my  son,  you  are  very  young,  and  you  are  very 
sick.  You  are  not  able  to  endure  the  fatigues  of  a  cam- 
paign, and  if  you  get  better,  you  had  better  return  home, 
hadn't  you  ?' 

"  The  boy  turned  his  large,  eloquent  eye  upon  his  in- 
terrogator, and  firmly,  but  modestl3%  replied,  as  a  slight 
flush  passed  over  his  pale,  expressive  face,  '  Not  until  the 
roar  is  over.' 

" '  Why,  what  can  you  do,  you  are  so  young  and  so 
delicate  ?' 

" '  I  am  a  marker,  sir,  and  I  hope  soon  to  be  up  and 
in  the  field  again.     I  think  it  my  duty.' 

" '  Well,  you  ought  to  try  and  be  a  good  Ijoy,  to  avoid 
8a 


182  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

ever3-thing  that  is  wrong,  and  you  ought  to  pray  to  God 
to  give  you  a  new  heart,  and  to  keep  you  from  falling 
into  bad  habits.' 

"  •  I  do,  sir,'  said  the  little  fellow,  his  ej^es  half  con- 
cealed beneath  the  long,  soft  lashes.  '  M^''  mother  taught 
me  to  pray.  I  have  kept  out  of  scrapes,  and  have  had 
no  difficulty  with  any  one  but  once,  and  I  did  not  seek 
that  one.' 

"  The  reverend  gentleman  then  held  further  conversa- 
tion with  the  brave  little  fellow,  and  promised  to  see 
him  again." 

The  death  scenes  among  these  youthful  soldiers  often 
evinced  the  full  power  of  the  gospel  in  conquering  death. 
The  glory  and  triumph  of  religion  were  never  more  fully 
manifested  than  in  the  following  scene  ; 

"  A  young  soldier,  while  dying  very  happily,  broke  out 
in  singing  the  following  stanza  : 

'  Great  Jehovah,  we  adore  thee, 
God  the  Father,  God  the  Son, 
God  the  Spirit,  joined  in  glory 
On  the  same  eternal  throne  : 

Endless  praises 
To  Jehovah,  three  in  one.' 

"The  chaplain  then  asked  if  he  had  any  message  to 
send  to  his  friends.  '  Yes,'  said  he.  '  Tell  my  father  that 
I  have  tried  to  eat  my  meals  with  thanksgiving.'  '  Tell 
him  that  I  have  tried  to  pray  as  we  used  to  do  at  home.' 
'  Tell  him  that  Christ  is  now  all  my  hope,  all  my  trust, 
and  that  he  is  precious  to  my  soul.'  '  Tell  him  that  I 
am  not  afraid  to  die — all  is  calm.'  '  Tell  him  that  I  be 
lieve  Christ  will  take  me  to  himself,  and  to  my  dear  sis 
ter  who  is  in  heaven.'  The  voice  of  the  dying  boy  fal 
tered  in  the  intervals  between  these  precious  sentences 
When  the  hymn  commencing,  '  Nearei",  my  God,  to  thee, 
was  read  to  him,  at  the  end  of  each  stanza  he  exclaimed, 
with  striking  energy,  '  Oh,  Lord  Jesus,  thou  art  coming 


SUMMER   OF    1862.  183 

nearer  to  we.'  Also,  at  the  end  of  each  stanza  of  the 
hymn  (which  was  also  read  to  him)  commencing, 

'  Just  as  I  am — without  one  plea, 
But  that  thy  blood  was  shed  for  me, 
And  that  thou  bid'st  me  come  to  thee, 
O  Ijamb  of  God,  I  come,' 

he  exclaimed,  'I come!  0  Lamb  of  God,  I  comeT  Speak- 
ing again  of  his  friends,  he  said,  '  Tell  my  father  that  I 
died  happy.'  His  last  words  were,  '  Father,  I'm  coming 
to  thee  !'  Then  the  Christian  soldier  sweetly  and  calmly 
'  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.' 

"  This  was  witnessed  by  about  twenty  fellow-soldiers, 
and  the  effect  upon  the  feelings  of  all  was  very  marked. 
Said  a  Roman  Catholic  who  lay  near  the  dying  one,  with 
tears  in  his  eyes,  and  strong  emotion,  '  I  never  want  to 
die  happier  than  that  man  did.'  Said  another,  '  I  never 
prayed  until  last  night ;  but  when  I  saw  that  man  die  so 
happy,  I  determined  to  seek  religion  too.'  " 

It  was  such  evidences  of  the  power  and  value  of  faith 
in  Christ  that  made  the  truth  effectual  in  the  salvation 
of  thousands,  and  that  enshrined  the  cause,  for  which 
such  Christians  fought  and  fell,  so  deeply  in  the  hearts 
of  the  Southern  people. 

To  the  hearts  of  anxious  fathers,  mothers,  wives,  and 
sisters,  what  could  give  greater  consolation  in  the  hour 
of  darkness  and  grief  than  the  letter  of  the  chaplain 
giving  the  simple  and  touching  narrative  of  the  death  of 
the  dear  one  on  the  battle  field,  or  in  the  hospital,  in  the 
fullness  of  joy,  and  sending  with  the  last  breath  and  the 
last  gush  of  life-blood  sweet  words  of  comfort  to  the 
loved  ones  at  the  old  homestead. 

In  their  darkened  homes,  hundreds  praised  God  that 
their  children  had  found  Christ  in  the  camp. 


184  THE   GUEAT    REVlVyVL. 


CHAPTER  Xr. 

S  U  M  M  E  U    OF     18  6  2. 

The  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  had  scarcely  a  breath- 
ing spell  after  the  terrible  battles  around  Riclunond. 
The  concentration  of  a  powerful  Federal  army  under 
General  Pope  on  the  upper  Rappahannock,  and  its  re- 
inforcement by  the  shattered  columns  of  McClellan,  in- 
dicated a  purpose  to  try  again  the  original  Manassas 
route  to  the  coveted  city.  General  Lee,  who  seemed  to 
have  an  intuitive  perception  of  the  plans  of  his  adver- 
saries, at  once  disposed  his  forces  to  meet  this  new 
emergency.  No  sooner  had  McClellan  ship[)ed  his  heavy 
war  material  on  board  a  fleet  of  transports,  and  com- 
mo'iced  his  stealthy  retreat  down  the  Peninsula  with  a 
broken  and  dispirited  army,  than  Jackson  was  moving 
with  his  veterans  to  watch  the  braggart,  Pope. 

It  was  a  memorable  day  when  his  "  foot  cavalr^^"  filed 
through  the  streets  of  Richmond  in  the  highest  spirits, 
chanting  their  songs  and  cracking  their  rude  war  jokes. 
"  If  the  Yankees  trouble  3'ou  again,  just  send  for  us  to 
wipe  them  out,"  exclaimed  a  sun-browned,  stalwart 
Georgian  in  faded  butternut  clotlies,  and  a  slouch  hat 
with  the  brim  half  torn  off.  "  We  can  flank  'cm,  but 
they  can  outrun  us,"  cries  another ;  "  You'll  hear  from 
old  Jack  again  soon,"  breaks  out  a  third  ;  "  Marse  Robert 
knows  what  he's  about,"  exclaims  a  fourth  ;  and  thus  the 
brave  fellows  trudged  on  gay  and  happy,  following  their 
great  leader. 

Having  reached  a  convenient  point  for  observation, 
Jackson  soon  divined  the  purposes  of  Ge.neral  Pope. 
This  vain  man,  who  had  pompously  announced  to  his 
troops  that  his  headquarters  would  be  in  the  saddle,  felt 


suannER  OF  1862.  185 

the  power  of  our  great  warrior  first  at  the  battle  of 
Cedar  Mountain.  The  fight  took  place  on  one  of  the 
hottest  da3's  of  summer.  The  Federal  troops  were  ter- 
rlbl}'^  worsted  and  driven  in  confusion  from  the  field, 
leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  and  many  prisoners  in 
our  hands.  The  South  was  called  to  deplore  the  loss  of 
many  brave  men.  General  Winder,  who  commanded 
the  "  Stonewall  Brigade,"  was  killed  on  the  field,  and  a 
uumber  of  other  gallant  officers  and  men  here  gave 
their  lives  to  the  holy  cause. 

This  blow  from  Jackson  was  an  earnest  of  what  was 
soon  to  follow.  Withdrawing  from  the  vicinit}^  of  Cedar 
Mountain,  he  completel}^  deceived  the  enemy,  and  began 
that  famous  flank  movement  which  brought  him  so  un- 
expectedly to  the  rear  of  Pope's  army.  The  Federals 
in  great  force  had  spent  weeks  in  and  around  the  town 
of  Warrenton,  Fauquier  county,  Va.,  and  between  that 
place  and  Culpeper  Courthouse.  They  had  plundered 
the  people  without  mere}',  taking  food,  clothing,  servants, 
horses,  cattle,  and,  in  fact,  whatever  they  fancied  was 
freely  appropriated.  Implements  of  agriculture  were 
burned  or  broken  to  pieces,  on  the  principle  of  subduing 
the  rebellion  by  cutting  oS  the  means  of  living  from 
citizens  and  soldiers.  The  conduct  of  manj^  of  the  Fed- 
eral soldiers  was  worthy  of  the  most  ferocious  savages. 
They  would  ride  over  the  graves  of  Confederates  in  the 
burying-ground  near  the  town  of  Warrenton,  and  stick 
ba3^onets  and  fire  guns  into  the  graves.  The  church  edi- 
fices were  abused,  and  the  walls  defiled  with  vulgar  and 
licentious  scribblings,  and  in  one  instance,  if  not  more, 
the  communion  table  and  chairs  were  stolen  from  the 
altar  and  possibly  shipped  to  the  North.  A  negro  brought 
in  from  the  country  a  fine  piano,  which  was  bought  for  a 
trifle  by  some  soldier  or  sutler,  boxed  up  and  sent  off  as 
a  present  to  some  fair  lad}'  in  a  loyal  State. 

But  the  triumph  of  tlie  wicked  is  short.  In  the  midst 
of  these  outrages  the  appalling  news  came  that  Jackson 


18G  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

was  in  their  rear.  The  mighty  host  was  thrown  into 
confnsion ;  and  in  vain  it  labored  to  check  that  scries 
of  brilliant  movements-on  the  part  of  the  Confederates 
which  culminated  in  the  terrific  battles  of  the  28th,  29th, 
and  30th  of  August.  Jackson's  column  was  followed  by 
that  of  Longstreet,  and  General  Lee  came  after  his  two 
great  Lieutenants  with  the  remainder  of  the  Confederate 
army.  The  troops  were  ordered  to  relieve  themselves 
of  everything  except  what  was  actually  necessary. 

"  After  marching  with  the  army  on  foot  from  Gordons- 
ville  to  Leesburg,"  sa3's  Rev.  J.  W.  Mills,  "  sleeping  on 
a  single  blanket,  with  heaven's  blue  vault  for  a  covering, 
suffering  hunger  and  weariness  in  common  with  officers 
and  men,  I  am  convinced  that  the  soldier's  life  in  Vir- 
ginia is  one  of  fighting  and  toil,  and  the  chaplaincy  is 
no  sinecure.  By  order  of  those  in  command,  we  carry 
nothing  with  us  but  one  blanket,  a  small  haversack,  and 
the  clothes  we  wear.  The  wagons  carry  only  a  half  or 
one-third  of  a  load ;  every  weight  thus  laid  aside,  men 
and  teams  are  put  up  to  their  best  speed,  marching  by 
day  and  by  night — sometimes  forty  hours  together — with 
now  and  then  short  halts  for  rest  and  sleep.  Thus  you 
may  account  for  our  celerity  of  movement.  Our  troops 
are  notwithstanding  always  in  fine  spirits,  having  much 
pleasurable  amusement  along  the  way,  calling  themselves 
General  Lee's  foot  cavalrj^  etc." 

The  same  writer,  attached  to  Longstreet's  corps,  gives 
a  lively  account  of  the  march  and  its  incidents  : 

"  Soon  after  leaving  Gordonsville,  we  commenced 
shelling  the  Yankees.  First,  on  Mountain  Run  creek, 
we  had  a  pretty  sharp  artillery  duel  with  them,  but  with 
little  loss  to  us,  hung  a  spy,  and  moved  forward.  Then, 
on  the  Rapidan  river,  we  shelled  them  again.  Next  they 
appeared  on  the  Rappahannock  river,  and  we  skirmished 
again.  Here  we  saw  some  Yankees  two  days  dead  on 
the  battle-field,  and  buried  them.  They  were  horrible  to 
beiiold.     Gen.  Jackson  had  been  there  before  us.     We 


suMiviEn  OF  1862.  187 

pushed  forward,  passing  through  Orleans  and  Salem ; 
at  the  latter  place  we  learned  the  Yankees  were  only  a 
few  hours  ahead  of  us/  The  young  ladies  waved  their 
handkerchiefs  at  us,  saying,  'Whip  the  Yankees;  don't 
let  thera  come  here.'  One  sweet  little  girl  said,  in  her 
own  winning  way,  '  Oh,  they  run,  they  run.'  Our  boys 
declared  they  felt  perfectlj^  rested,  and  moved  forward 
with  eager  haste.  At  Thoroughfare  Gap  they  made  a 
stand,  and  part  of  our  forces  had  a  sharp  battle  with 
them,  completely  routing  them  with  great  slaughter. 
This  took  place  among  the  mountains  to  the  right  of  the 
Gap,  We  were  not  delayed  more  than  three  hours  by 
this  battle.  Night  came  on,  but  we  pressed  forward 
through  the  Gap,  over  the  rocks,  through  the  water  and 
mud — one  of  the  darkest  nights  I  ever  saw.  Early  the 
next  morning  we  passed  through  Haymarket.  The  Yan- 
kees were  two  hours  ahead  of  us,  double-quicking.  At 
their  camp  was  a  hog  half  consumed  in  the  tire.  Near 
the  road  was  a  beef  skinned  and  abandoned.  All  along 
the  way  we  found  small  arms  thrown  away,  wagon-wheels 
with  half  the  spokes  cut  out,  one  wagon  on  fire,  and 
other  evidences  of  hasty  skedadcUivg.  Our  troops  pushr^d 
forward,  'faint  but  pursuing.'  Soon  we  came  up  with 
them,  and  fighting  commenced.  This  was  on  Tuesday, 
the  beginning  of  the  battle  which  ended  on  Saturda}^  so 
gloriously  for  our  cause.  Thursday  and  Friday  were 
spent  in  skirmishing.  Pearly  Saturday  cannonading  com- 
menced in  earnest,  both  sides  manifesting  great  spirit ; 
about  noon  the  musketry  fighting  commenced  ;  at  four 
o'clock  P.  M.,  the  battle  was  general  and  most  terrific. 
For  about  one  hour  the  Yankees  stood  and  fought  hero- 
ically. Those  who  stood  and  fought  thus  were  nearly 
annihilated.  They  were  compelled  to  give  wa}'.  T  could 
hear  the  well-known  whoop  of  our  troops,  as  the}^  charged 
and  took  battery  after  battery  from  the  enemy.  About 
sundown  the  last  battery  was  charged  and  taken :  then 
followed  an  ominous  silence.     The  Yankees  were  fleeing: 


188  THE    GREAT    UEVIVAL. 

in  wild  confusion ;  our  artillery  moved  forward  rapidly, 
and  from  the  higlier  ground  poured  shot  and  shell  into 
their  broken  and  fugitive  columns.  Nothing  could  be 
heard  on  their  side  but  the  roar  and  rush  of  getting  away 
over  the  rocky  turnpike.     Night  closed  the  scene." 

It  is  well  known  that  at  the  second  battle  of  Manas- 
sas the  position  of  the  two  armies  was  exactly  reversed. 
The  contest  raged  over  the  same  ground  already  made 
sacred  by  the  memorable  victory  of  the  preceding  year. 
Many  a  brave  man  marched  back  to  die  on  the  spot 
where  he  had  first  met  the  storm  of  battle.  The  Con- 
federates were  stimulated  to  deeds  of  true  heroism  by 
the  memories  that  clustered  around  the  field  of  strife — 
the  Federals  fought  under  the  depressing  recollection  of 
former  defeat  and  disaster.  The  three  days'  struggle 
ended  on  Saturday  evening  in  the  total  route  of  Pope's 
army.     We  again  quote  from  Mr.  Mills'  graphic  letter : 

"  On  Sunday  morning,  I  rode  along  the  road  by  which 
they  fled  across  Bull  Run.  That  must  have  been  a  ter- 
rific race  for  dear  life,  if  broken  wagons,  capsized  am- 
bulances, dismounted  cannon,  the  road  for  miles  paved 
with  scores  of  boxes  and  barrels  of  hard  bread,  aban- 
doned haversacks  and  blankets,  dead  horses  and  dead 
men,  is  any  evidence  of  such  a  race. 

"The  battle-field  !  what  a  scene  !  Here  death  is  feast- 
ing on  his  thousands  at  a  meal.  The  field  was  red  with 
wounded  and  dead  Zouaves.  They  were  literally  cut  to 
pieces  by  the  Texans.  In  one  part  of  the  field  I  saw  an 
intelligent  looking  Yankee  with  his  thigh  broken.  He 
had  lain  all  night  in  the  rain  in  that  condition.  I  said 
to  him  :  '  My  dear  fellow,  you  are  in  great  pain ;  can 
I  do  anything  for  you  ?'  Said  he  :  '  Oh,  sir,  if  I  could 
get  some  one  to  amputate  my  leg,  I  think  I  would  not 
suffer  so  much.'  '  Our  surgeons  are  all  busy  now  with 
our  own  wounded ;  when  they  are  through  with  them,  I 
presume  the}'  will  attend  to  you.'  I  replied.  Close  by 
was  another,  shot  through  the  lungs,  breathing  his  last. 


SUMJIER  OF   1862.  189 

111  his  mouth  was  a  mass  of  froth,  tinged  with  blood,  al- 
most half  as  large  as  his  head.  Another  was  shot 
through  the  head,  his  brains  scattered  upon  the  ground  ; 
yet  he  had  lived  all  night,  and  was  now  groaning  in  the 
agonies  of  death.  These  are  only  a  few  cases  out  of 
thousands.  I  stood  there  in  my  place  and  counted  in  a 
small  space  twenty  dead  Yankees — five  of  them  shot 
through  the  head,  blood  and  brains  running  out  together 
in  a  stream  of  several  feet.  From  all  that  I  could  see 
in  the  part  of  the  field  I  A'isited.  there  were  ten  dead 
Yankees  to  one  of  ours.  This  was  the  position  occupied 
by  Gen.  Longstreet's  division. 

"The  field  was  literally  filled  with  small  arms  of  the 
best  quality.  When  they  broke  to  run,  every  one  must 
have  thrown  away  his  gun.  Some  were  broken — others 
were  loaded  and  in  good  condition.  Our  men  swapped 
guns,  as  they  found  those  which  suited  their  fancy  better 
than  their  own.  Having  eaten  but  little  for  two  days 
and  nights,  many  of  them  fared  sumptuously  that  night 
from  the  well-filled  haversacks  of  their  vanquished  foe. 
They  also  supplied  themselves  with  splendid  oilcloths 
and  blankets.  Love-letters  and  letters  from  wives,  mo- 
thers, and  sisters,  with  many  likenesses,  were  picked  up 
from  among  the  slain. 

"I  heard  from  the  battle-field  on  Tuesday  after  the 
battle,  and  the  dead  of  the  enemy  were  unburied.  The 
enemy  made  no  halt — were  pushing  forward  to  get  ad- 
vantage of  us.  Our  hands  were  full.  Some  of  their 
braves,  who  would  have  a  farm  at  the.  South,  and  wan- 
tonly destroyed  the  property  of  private  citizens  under 
the  infamous  order  of  their  leader,  were  there  on  the 
field  half-eaten  up  by  the  hogs." 

In  the  quiet,  rural  districts  in  the  vicinity  of  these  bat- 
tle-fields, the  same  scenes  were  repeated  that  had  so  re- 
cently been  witnessed  in  and  around  Richmond.  Gen. 
Lee,  moving  rapidly  after  the  retreating  foe,  was  com- 
pelled to  leave  his  broken-down,  sick,  and  wounded  men 


190  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

behind.  Every  village,  and  almost  every  farm-house,  for 
many  miles  around,  was  crowded  with  sick  and  wounded 
Confederates,  The  condition  of  our  own  men  was  pitia- 
ble enough,  but  the  Federal  wounded  suffered  to  the  last 
degree  of  horror.  For  five  or  six  days  hundreds  of  them 
lay  about  in  the  ravines,  and  under  clum})s  of  shrubbery, 
and  in  the  open  fields,  exposed  to  the  pelting  rains,  with- 
out covering,  suffering  the  intolerable  pangs  of  hunger 
and  thirst,  superadded  to  the  torture  of  fly-blown,  fester- 
ing wounds. 

The  victorious  legions  of  Lee  swept  on  toward  jMary- 
land,  leaving  the  discomfited  arm^'^  of  Pope  huddled 
around  Washington  city.  As  the  army  approached  Lees- 
burg,  Va.,  the  Federals  who  occupied  that  place  precipi- 
tately fled  across  the  Potomac. 

"They  had  come  over  from  the  Point  of  Rock,"  sa3's 
Mr.  Mills  in  his  narrative,  "to  arrest  some  offensive  citi- 
zens, among  them  some  soldiers.  They  had  gone  so  far 
in  their  cowardly  work  as  to  leave  some  of  their  victims 
under  guard,  when  our  cavalry  came  to  their  rescue. 
An  old  citizen  of  Leesburg  described  the  scene  to  me 
thus  :  'We  were  like  Israel  of  old — tlie  mountains  flank- 
ing us,  the  Red  Sea  before  us,  and  the  Egyptians  in  our 
rear.  We  could  see  no  means  of  escape,  and  were  trem- 
bling with  alarm,  with  a  haught}'^  foe  dictating  to  us.  I 
was  sitting  in  the  piazza,  and  saw  a  little  dirty  fellow 
dash  into  the  street  on  a  little  gray  pony  with  a  double- 
barrel  shot-gun  in  his  hand.  Said  I  to  m3'self,  'That 
must  be  one  of  our  boj'S.'  The  Yankees  were  rushing 
past  in  wild  dismay.  I  saw  him  present  his  gun  and 
fire,  and  down  tumbled  a  Yankee.  He  wlieeled  and 
fired  the  other  barrel,  and  another  fell.  I  heard  some- 
body say,  '  Two  of  the  rascals  are  down.'  The  Yankees 
retreated  a  short  distance  from  town  and  made  a  stand. 
Our  boys  charged  them  with  their  swords,  and  they  l)roke 
for  the  Potomac,  screaming  as  they  approached,  'IJring 
over  the  boat !    brino:  over  the  boat !'     But  a  ferrv-l>oat 


suMirER  OF  1862.  191 

was  too  slow  business  for  them,  and  they  plunged  in  and 
swam  across.' 

"The  ladies  of  Leesburg,  regardless  of  the  deadly 
missiles,  rushed  into  the  streets,  clapping  their  hands 
and  shouting,  '  Victory !  victory !'  There  is  nothing 
they  fear  so  much  now  as  a  return  of  the  Yankees. 
Thank  God  !  this  part  of  Virginia  is  now  free  from  their 
polluting  tread.  Through  the  strong  arm  of  Omnipo- 
tence we  have  shelled  them  out,  and  wives,  mothers,  and 
daughters,  breathe  freely  once  more  in  their  dear 
homes." 

The  devotion  and  self-sacrifice  which  our  people  mani- 
fested in  their  attentions  to  the  sick  and  wounded  men, 
who  were  left  along  the  track  of  the  army,  can  never  be 
surpassed.  Warrenton,  a  small  town  of  fifteen  hundred 
inhabitants,  was  crowded  with  more  than  two  thousand 
wounded  soldiers  from  the  battle-fields,  hungry,  bleed- 
ing, and  with  no  clothes  but  what  they  had  on,  and  these 
cut,  and  torn,  and  bloody ;  and  in  many  instances  their 
gaping  wounds  were  alive  with  crawling  maggots. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Talley,  of  Georgia,  who  labored  in  the 
place  as  a  nurse  of  the  poor,  suffering  men,  and  there 
consigned  to  the  grave  his  first-born  son,  pays  a  feeling 
tribute  to  the  citizens  who  opened  their  hearts  and 
houses  to  their  countrymen  : 

"The  ladies,  aided  by  their  husbands,  are  seen  every- 
where. They  are  angels  of  mercy,  not  idle  lookers-on, 
but  busy,  carrying  food  and  helping  in  everj'  way  they 
can  to  alleviate  and  soothe  the  suflTerer.  They  divided 
their  beds  and  bed-clothing  and  fed  these  hundreds  as 
long  as  they  had  wherewith  to  do  it,  and  until  the  Gov- 
ernment sent  aid — for  nearl}-  a  week — all  were  supported 
by  the  inhabitants.  When  aid  did  come  from  Govern- 
ment, it  was  inadequate.  Every  house  in  the  town  was 
appropriated  to  the  wounded  and  sick,  as  each  family 
took  in  as  many  as  it  could.  Some  sixt3^  tents  were 
pitched,  and  these  were  filled.     Our  soldiers,  after  all  the 


192  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL, 

people  could  do,  were  to  be  seen  lying  on  a  handful  of 
«traw,  or  on  the  floor  or  ground,  without  a  blanket  to 
cover  their  lacerated  and  bleeding  bodies." 

In  the  midst  of  these  scenes  of  horror  there  was  many 
a  bright  and  joyous  departure  to  the  world  of  peace  and 
rest.  Speaking  of  the  death  of  his  son,  Mr.  Talley 
says  : 

'•M}'^  son,  after  he  had  lain  in  a  storehouse  from  Mon- 
day to  Tuesday  evening  on  a  blanket  and  a  handful  of 
straw,  was  furnished  bj'^  a  kind  lady  with  a  straw  mat- 
tress, on  which  he  is  now  dying.  May  God  remember 
her  in  mercy  '  in  that  daj'.' 

'•The  night  of  the  29th  was  a  night  of  pain,  anxiety, 
deep,  unutterable  emotion.  We  sat  or  kneeled  by  his 
couch,  and  poured  out  our  souls  in  prayer  for  the  suf- 
ferer. He  wanted  me  to  pray  for  him,  and  almost  suffo- 
cated with  emotion,  silent  prayer  yielded  to  sobs  and 
praj^ers.  At  the  close,  I  asked  him  if  he  loved  Jesus, 
lie  answered  'Yes.'  I  asked  him  if  he  was  going  to 
heaven  ;  he  said  :  '  I  hope  so  ;'  and  wanted  us  all  to  meet 
him  in  heaven.  He  then  threw  his  arms  around  his 
mother's  neck,  and  returned  her  fond  embrace  and 
kisses,  sent  by  her  a  kiss  to  each  of  his  sisters,  and  one 
b}'  me  to  his  brother  Willie,  now  in  Gen.  Bragg's  army. 
The  struggle  lasted  until  Tuesday,  September  30th,  at  2 
o'clock  P.  M.,  when  the  tranquil,  happy  spirit  was  re- 
leased from  its  clay  prison.  Tlie  casket  was  broken  and 
the  jewel  was  gone." 

The  same  triumphant  death  scenes  were  witnessed  on 
the  battle-field  of  the  Second  Manassas  that  had  cast 
such  a  radiance  over  Southern  patriotism  in  the  previous 
battles  of  the  war.  "  Give  my  love  to  parents  and 
friends,"  said  a  young  soldier,  dying  of  his  wounds ; 
"  tell  them  all  is  well ;  I  am  not  afraid  to  die,  for  I  know 
they  are  praying  for  me."  Another,  the  son  of  a  faith- 
ful clergyman,  fell  mortally  wounded  by  a  shell.  A 
friend  near  by  gave   him  water,  for  which  he  thanked 


SUMMER    OF    1862.  193 

him,  saying,  "I  am  a  (lying  patriot,"  and  then  added, 
"Tell  my  father  I  died  like  a  man  and  a  hero."  A 
brave  young  Christian,  when  told  by  the  surgeon  that 
he  could  not  live,  sent  home  his  last  message  :  "  Tell 
my  relations,  father  and  mother,  sisters  and  brothers, 
that  I  trust  I  am  prepared  to  meet  my  God.  Fare- 
well,  one  and  all,  I  bid  you  a  long  farewell,  I  hope  to 
meet  you  all  in  heaven,"  Another  gallant  soldier, 
who  was  killed  as  the  line  of  battle  was  being  formed, 
left  a  pleasing  testimony  ;  just  before  leaving  to  join  the 
Sivmy,  he  wrote  :  '•  I  wish  only  to  know  my  duty ;  it 
then  remains  for  me  to  perform  it.  It  was  a  great  trial 
to  part  with  my  family ;  I  seemed  to  realize  that  the 
parting  was  final ;  but  my  country  calls,  and  I  cheerfully 
go  forward  to  death."  It  was  soon  after  that  he  went 
from  the  carnage  of  battle  to  the  peaceful  home  of  the 
blessed. 

But  it  is  needless  to  multiply  these  instances  of  heroic 
devotion  and  pious  resignation.  In  every  hospital,  and 
on  every  field,  thej-^  appeared,  giving  sanctity  to  the 
cause  of  the  South,  and  forever  enshrining  those  who 
laid  down  their  lives  for  it  in  the  warm  affections  of  a 
grateful  people. 


194  THE   GREAT    KE^T\'AL. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
AUTUMN     OF     1862. 

The  sudden  appearance  of  the  Confederate  army  in 
Mar3'land,  after  the  second  great  victor}^  at  IManassas, 
startled  and  perplexed  the  Federal  authorities.  The  un- 
fortunate General  Pope  was  at  once  displaced  from  the 
chief  command  as  unequal  to  the  emergency,  and  Gene- 
ral McClellan  again  took  the  direction  of  military  af- 
fairs. General  Lee  moved  rapidly  into  Federicktown. 
from  which  place,  on  the  8th  of  September,  he  issued  an 
address  to  the  people  of  INIar^dand.  From  this  point  a 
portion  of  the  Southern  army  was  moved  seemingly  in 
the  direction  of  Pennsylvania,  but  really  for  important 
operations  in  Virginia. 

After  sending  a  portion  of  his  force  to  hold  the  Mary- 
land Heights,  opposite  Harper's  Ferry,  General  Jackson 
was  directed  by  General  Lee  to  recross  the  Potomac  at 
Williamsport,  capture  Martinsburg,  and,  b}^  a  rapid 
movement,  completel}'  surround  Harper's  Ferry. 

Jackson  marched  with  his  wonted  celerit}' ;  Martins- 
biwg  fell  with  its  garrison  and  stores,  and  the  investment 
of  the  Ferry  was  effected  on  the  13th  of  September.  No 
sooner  did  iMcClellan  hear  of  the  movements  of  Jackson 
than  he  resolved  to  make  a  powerful  effort  to  defeat  his 
plans.  Leaving  Washington  with  80,000  men,  on  Sun- 
day, near  Boonsboro,  lie  threw  his  whole  force  against 
the  corps  of  Gen.  D.  II.  Hill,  which  was  the  rear  guard 
of  our  armj'.  aud  had  been  placed  at  this  point  by  Gen. 
Lee  to  impede  the  reinforcing  column.  The  battle  was 
obstinate  and  bloody,  but  General  Hill  nobly  stood  his 
ground,  reinforced  in  the  afternoon  by  Longstreet's  corps, 
and  the  object  of  the  Federals,  the   relief  of  Harper's 


AUTU3IN  OF   1862.  195 

Ferry,  was  defeated,  While  the  battle  was  raging,  the 
place  was  surrendered  b}'^  General  Miles,  with  his  entire 
force  of  11,000  men,  the  same  number  of  small  ai'ms,  73 
pieces  of  cannon,  200  wagons,  with  a  vast  amount  of 
stores  and  camp  equipage. 

General  Jackson  announced  this  event  in  his  laconic 
style  :  "  Yesterday'  God  crowned  our  arms  with  anotlier 
brilliant  success  in  the  surrender  of  IIari)er's  Ferr}-." 

The  Federals  having  gained  Crampton's  Gap  in  the 
rear  of  Gen.  McLaws,  who  held  the  Maryland  Heights, 
Gen.  Lee  retired  to  Sharpsburg,  where  lie  conkl  readily 
unite  his  whole  army.  On  Monday  our  urni}^  took  posi- 
tion in  front  of  Sharpsburg,  and  Jackson,  leaving  Har- 
per's Ferrj^  rejoined  his  chief  in  time  to  participate  in 
the  impending  battle. 

The  fight  opened  on  Tuesday  afternoon  about  six 
o'clock,  and  was  kept  up  until  nine  at  night,  when  it  sub- 
sided into  skirmishes  along  the  lines.  Jt  was  reopened 
by  Jackson  on  Wednesday,  and  soon  l)eeame  general. 
Both  armies  fought  desperately  tliroughout  the  whole 
day.  At  niglit  the  Confederates  held  nearly  the  entire 
field,  and  the  Federals  retired  to  their  former  position. 
The  next  morning  our  men  stood  ready  to  recommence 
the  work  of  death,  but  no  assault  was  made  by  the 
Northern  army.  P^ach  army,  it  seems,  expected  the 
other  to  attack.  Late  in  the  evening  of  the  18th,  Gen. 
Lee  issued  the  order  for'  the  return  of  his  arm}'  to  Vir- 
ginia. The  al)le  correspondent  of  the  Savannaii  Repub- 
lican, who  was  on  the  spot,  gives  the  following  account 
of  this  masterly  movement : 

"  Whether  Gen.  Lee  took  this  step  from  a  military'  ne- 
cessity, or  for  some  strategic  purpose,  or  because  he  had 
accomplished  the  object  of  his  movement  into  Mary- 
land— the  capture  of  Harper's  P'erry — I  am  unable  to 
say.  The  order  was  issued  late  last  evening,  and  by  the 
time  it  was  quite  dark  the  wagons,  artiller}',  and  troops 
beeran  to  move.     All  the  wounded  that  were  in  a  condi- 


196  THE   GREAT    REAHVAL. 

tion  to  be  moved  had  been  taken  across  the  river.  Those 
whose  wounds  were  ver}^  severe  or  mortal,  unfortunatelj', 
had  to  be  left  behind,  and  fell  into  the  hand  of  the 
enemy.  Some  of  the  wounded  had  never  been  removed 
from  the  field,  having  fallen  on  a  part  of  the  ground  still 
held  by  the  enemy.  Many  of  the  dead  were  buried  yes- 
terday, and  some  were  transferred  to  this  bank  of  the 
river.  It  was  not  quite  three  miles  to  the  Potomac,  and 
our  wagon  trains  extended  from  Sharpsburg  over  to  the 
Virginia  side.  There  were  only  two  roads  by  which  we 
could  proceed,  one  of  which  was  taken  by  the  troops  and 
the  other  by  the  artillery  and  wagons.  Our  lines  caine 
up  within  a  short  distance  of  the  enemy's,  yet  so  silently 
and  adroitly  was  the  movement  conducted  that  McClel- 
lan  was  not  aware  of  it  until  next  morning.  It  had 
rained  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  roads  were  muddy  be- 
low, while  the  heavens  were  covered  with  a  light  fog 
above,  both  of  which  facilitated  the  enterprise.  We  had 
crossed  into  Maryland  by  the  bright  and  early  morning 
sun ;  we  returned  in  silence  and  at  the  dead  hour  of 
night.  The  columns  wound  their  way  over  the  hills 
and  along  the  valleys  like  some  huge,  indistinct  mon- 
ster. 

Whatever  was  the  motive  to  the  movement,  it  must  be 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  successful  and  extraordi- 
nary exploits  in  the  history  of  any  country,  and  stamps 
the  man  that  ordered  and  executed  it  as  one  of  the 
greatest  military  leaders  in  our  time  and  generation. 
With  the  exception  of  the  wounded  and  a  few  wagons 
that  got  turned  over  in  the  darkness,  not  a  man  or  wagon 
nor  a  single  piece  of  artillery  was  lost.  The  crossing 
was  accomplished  by  half-past  six  this  morning,  and 
soon  thereafter  the  enemy's  artillery  opened  a  harmless 
fire  from  the  opposite  heights.  The  bird  had  flown,  how- 
ever, and  his  rage  was  impotent." 

The  Federals  themselves  confessed  to  the  admirable 
generalship  displayed  by  the  great  Confederate  leader. 


AUTUMN    OF    1862.  197 

The  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  in  refer- 
ring to  it,  said  : 

"  The  whole  of  the  rebel  army  has  got  entirely  off 
across  the  river  by  this  morning  with  everything — guns, 
ammunition,  provisions — everything,  as  far  as  I  have 
seen,  worth  taking.  My  fears  are  thus  realized — the 
enemy  lias  taken  the  advantage  of  yesterday's  repose 
and  last  night's  darkness,  and  has  quietly  passed  over 
the  river  and  effected  a  successful  retreat.  The  retreat, 
so  far  as  the  marching  part  of  the  army  was  concerned, 
was  a  splendid  success.  But  two  disabled  guns,  one 
ambulance,  five  barrels  of  flour,  and  two  barrels  of  salt, 
were  all  the  property  they  left  in  our  possession.  A 
cleaner,  neater  retreat,  considering  all  the  circumstances, 
was  never  made.  '  It  is,'  said  a  gentleman  to  me,  '  Cor- 
inth repeated,  only  much  more  neatly.'  The  enemy  out- 
wit us  under  our  ver}'  noses." 

The  battle  of  Sharpsburg  was  fought  under  almost 
every  disadvantage  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates; 
The  men  had  been  marching  or  fighting  nearly  every  day 
from  the  time  they  left  Richmond  ;  the  transportation 
was  deficient,  food  was  scarce,  thousands  were  sick,  and 
tliousands  were  straggling  along  the  entire  line  of  march 
from  Richmond  to  Maryland.  The  writer  just  quoted 
thus  speaks  of  the  men  who,  from  early  dawn  to  dewy 
eve,  hurled  back  the  columns  of  McClellan's  immense 
array  on  the  memorable  field  of  Sharpsburg : 

"  I  can  recall  no  parallel  instance  in  history,  except 
Napoleon's  disastrous  retreat  from  Moscow,  where  an 
army  has  ever  done  more  marching  and  fighting,  under 
such  great  disadvantages,  than  General  Lee's  has  done 
since  it  left  the  banks  of  James  river.  It  proceeded 
directly  to  the  line  of  the  Rappahannock,  and  moving 
out  from  that  river,  it  fought  its  way  to  the  Potomac, 
crossed  that  stream  and  moved  on  to  Fredericktown  and 
Hagerstown.  had  a  heavy  engagement  at  Boonsboro  Gap, 
and  another  at  Crampton  Gap  below,  fought  the  greatest 


198  THE    GRKAT    REVIVAL. 

pitched  battle  of  the  war  at  Sharpsburg.  and  then  re- 
crossed  the  Potomac  back  into  Virginia.  During  all  this 
time,  covering  the  full  space  of  a  month,  the  troops  rested 
but  four  daj's  !  And  let  it  always  be  remembered  to 
their  honor,  that  of  the  men  who  performed  this  wonder- 
ful feat  one-fifth  of  them  were  barefooted,  one-half  of 
them  in  rags,  and  the  whole  of  them  half-famished.  The 
countr}^  from  the  Rappahannock  to  the  Potomac  had 
been  visited  by  tiie  enemy  with  fire  and  sword,  and  our 
transportation  was  insufficient  to  keep  the  army  supplied 
from  so  distant  a  base  as  Gordonsville  ;  and  when  the 
provision  trains  would  overtake  the  army,  so  pressing 
were  the  exigencies  of  their  position  the  men  seldom 
had  time  to  cook.  Their  difficulties  were  increased  by 
the  fact  that  their  cooking  utensils,  in  many  cases,  had 
been  left  behind,  as  well  as  everything  else  that  would 
impede  their  movements.  It  was  not  unusual  to  see  a 
company  of  starving  men  have  a  barrel  of  flour  dis- 
tributed to  them,  which  it  was  utterly  impossible  for 
them  to  convert  into  bread  with  the  means  and  the  time 
allowed  to  them.  They  could  not  procure  even  a  piece 
of  plank,  or  a  corn  or  flour  sack,  upon  which  to  work  up 
their  dough. 

"  No  army  on  this  continent  has  ever  accomplished  as 
much,  or  suffered  as  much,  as  the  army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia within  the  last  three  months.  At  no  period  during 
the  first  Revolutionarj''  war — not  even  at  Valley  Forge — 
did  our  forefathers  in  arms  encounter  greater  hardships, 
or  endure  them  more  uncomplainingly. 

"If  the  Arm}'"  of  Virginia  could  march  through  the 
South  just  as  it  is — ragged  and  almost  barefooted  and 
hatless — many  of  the  men  limping  along  and  not  quite 
well  of  their  wounds  or  sickness,  yet  cheerful  and  not 
willing  to  abandon  their  places  in  the  ranks — their  clothes 
riddled  with  balls,  and  their  banners  covered  with  the 
smoke  and  dust  of  battle,  and  shot  into  tatters,  many  of 
them  inscribed  'Williamsburg,'  'Seven   Pines,'  'Gaines' 


AUTUMN   OF    18G2.  199 

Mill,'  'Garnett's  Farm,'  ' Front  Royal,'  'McDowell,'  'Ce- 
dar Run,'  and  other  victorious  fields — if  this  array  ot 
veterans,  thus  clad  and  shod,  witli  tattered  uniforms  and 
banners,  could  march  from  Richmond  to  the  Mississippi, 
it  would  produce  a  sensation  that  has  no  parallel  in  his- 
tory since  Peter  the  Hermit  led  his  swelling  hosts  across 
Europe  to  the  rescue  of  the  Holy  Sepulchre." 

But  the  highest  eulogy  on  this  army  came  from  him 
who  had  led  it  to  victory,  and  under  whose  eye  its  heroic 
deeds  were  performed.  After  their  return  to  Virginia, 
General  Lee  spoke  to  his  half-famished,  half-naked,  but 
invincible  legions  in  tliis  noble  strain  : 

"In  reviewing  the  achievements  of  the  array  during 
the  present  campaign,  the  Commanding  General  cannot 
withhold  the  expression  of  his  admiration  of  the  indomi- 
table courage  it  has  displayed  in  battle,  and  its  cheerful 
endurance  of  privation  and  hardships  on  the  march. 

"  Since  3^our  great  victories  around  Richmond,  you 
have  defeated  the  enemy  at  Cedar  Mountain,  expelled 
him  from  the  Rappahannock,  and,  after  a  conflict  of 
three  days,  utterly  repulsed  him  on  the  plains  of  Ma- 
nassas and  forced  him  to  take  shelter  within  the  fortifi- 
cations around  his  capital. 

"  Without  halting  for  repose  you  crossed  the  Potomac, 
stormed  the  heights  of  Harper's  Ferry,  made  prisoners 
of  more  than  eleven  thousand  men,  and  captured  up- 
wards of  seventy  pieces  of  artillery,  all  their  small 
arms,  and  other  munitions  of  war. 

"While  one  corps  of  the  array  was  thus  engaged,  the 
other  insured  its  success  by  arresting  at  Boonsboro  the 
combined  armies  of  the  enemy,  advancing  under  their 
favorite  General  to  the  relief  of  their  beleaguered  com- 
rades. 

'•On  the  field  of  Sharpsburg,  with  less  than  one-third 
his  numbers,  you  resisted,  from  daylight  until  dark,  the 
whole  army  of  the  enemy,  and  repulsed  every  attack 
along  his  entire  front  of  more  than  four  miles  in  extent. 


200  THE    GUEAT   REVIVAL. 

"  The  whole  of  the  following  day  you  stood  prepared 
to  resume  the  conflict  on  the  same  ground,  and  retired 
next  morning,  without  molestation,  across  the  Poto- 
mac. 

"Two  attempts,  subsequently  made  by  the  enemy,  to 
follow  3^ou  across  the  river  have  resulted  in  his  complete 
discomfiture  and  being  driven  bacli  with  loss. 

"Achievements  such  as  these  demanded  much  valor 
and  patriotism.  History  records  few  examples  of  greater 
fortitude  and  endurance  than  this  army  has  exhibited  ; 
and  I  am  commissioned  by  the  President  to  thank  you, 
in  the  name  of  the  Confederate  States,  for  the  undying 
fame  you  have  won  for  their  arms." 

The  valor  and  endurance  of  the  Southern  troops  in 
this  campaign  are  attested  by  their  faithful  ministers 
who  labored  da}^  and  niglit  for  their  spiritual  good.  Rev. 
J.  W.  Mills,  chaplain  of  a  Florida  regiment,  gives  a 
graphic  picture  of  the  havoc  of  war : 

"Many  of  our  regiment  fell  in  the  terrible  battle  of 
Sharpsburg.  We  occupied  tlie  centre,  where  the  enemy 
made  his  fiercest  attack,  hoping  to  break  our  lines  in 
that  vital  part  of  the  field,  and  so  win  the  day.  The 
enemy  were  formed  in  a  semicircle  on  the  side  of  a  hill. 
Our  brave  men  marched  up  to  the  attack  until  they 
could  see  the  lieads  and  shoulders  of  their  adversaries 
over  the  summit  of  the  hill,  when  firing  (;ommenced. 
From  the  two  wings  and  the  centre  of  this  semicircle 
they  poured  upon  us  a  murderous  fire  for  about  one 
hour.  Five  times  our  colors  fell,  but  as  often  our  men 
rushed  to  the  spot  and  raised  them  to  the  breeze.  Fi- 
nally, a  retreat  was  ordered — at  that  moment  the  colors 
fell  and  were  left.  The  enemy  had  suffered  too  much, 
notwithstanding  his  advantages,  to  pursue,  and  our  gal- 
lant Lieutenant-Colonel,  already  wounded  in  the  arm, 
went  back  and  brought  them  away  under  a  shower  of 
bullets." 

In  the  midst  of  this  carnage  manv  a  heart  turned  to 


AUTUMN    OF    1862.  201 

the  God  of  battles  for  refuge  and  comfort.     Mr.  Mills 
again  writes  : 

"A  young  man  said  to  me  after  the  battle  :  'When  I 
was  going  into  the  battle,  I  put  my  trust  in  God,  and  he 
has  brought  me  through  untouched,  and  I  am  grateful  to 
him.'  And  the  tears  stood  in  his  eyes  as  he  spoke.  He 
was  an  unconverted  man  when  he  went  into  the  fight. 
Last  night  at  preaching,  while  referring  to  the  incidents 
of  the  battle  and  how  God  had  preserved  them,  man}' 
tears  fell,  and  many  countenances  spoke  louder  than 
words  undying  gratitude  to  the  God  of  all  grace." 

The  instances  of  calm  Christian  courage  exhibited  on 
the  field  of  Sharpsburg  have  never  been  surpassed. 
Here,  with  thousands  of  other  heroes.  Captain  James  G. 
Rogers,  of  Macon,  Ga.,  offered  his  life  on  the  altar  of 
his  country.  He  was  a  worthj'^  citizen  and  a  most  useful 
Christian.  As  a  minister  and  Sabbath  School  Superin- 
tendent, he  exerted  a  happy  influence  wherever  he  la- 
bored to  do  good.  He  entered  the  service  a  captain  of 
the  Central  City  Blues,  of  the  renowned  12th  Georgia, 
and  endured  cheerfully  all  the  hardships  of  the  soldier's 
life.  He  passed  unharmed  through  seventeen  desperate 
battles,  and  fell  gloriously  on  this  bloody  field.  Wearied 
and  almost  worn  out  by  the  investment  of  Harper's 
Ferry  and  the  march  to  the  battle-field,  his  men  lay  on 
their  arms  awaiting  the  attack  which  was  to  be  made  at 
dawn  of  day.  The  assault  was  terrible,  and  for  an  hour 
Captain  Rogers,  in  command  of  the  regiment,  passed  up 
and  down  the  line  encouraging  his  men.  While  thus  ex- 
posed, all  the  fingers  of  his  left  hand  were  shot  off,  and 
he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh,  but  he  remained 
with  his  men  until  forced  to  leave  by  sheer  exhaustion. 
As  he  was  moving  oflT,  supported  by  some  of  his  men,  a 
bullet  struck  him  in  the  back  of  the  head,  killing  him  in- 
stantly. "Thus  fell,"  says  the  friend  from  wiiom  we 
take  this  account,  "one  of  the  purest,  bravest  men  of 
our  immortalized  Confederate  army."      When  he  bado 


202  THE    GRKAT    KE VITAL. 

adieu  to  his  family,  he  said  :  "  If  we  meet  no  more  on 
eartli,  let  us  meet  in  heaven."  In  his  letters  i;«)me  lio 
often  said:  "I  never  go  into  battle  without  feeling  pre- 
pared to  meet  my  God."  On  the  morning  of  his  hist 
battle  he  arranged  for  the  disposal  of  his  effects  as  if  lie 
full}'  expected  to  fall.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die 
in  the  Lord." 

On  the  same  field  fell  Major  James  Harvey  Dingle,  of 
South  Carolina.  He  was  a  true  Christian  soldier.  His 
Colonel  said  of  him :  "  He  was  one  of  the  bravest  men  I 
ever  saw.  He  did  not  know  what  fear  was.  He  was 
killed  near  me,  and  I  took  the  flag  from  his  hand  as  he 
was  dying ;  he  died  without  a  groan,  and  looked  as  if  he 
was  sleeping.  He  was  blessed  by  the  men  and  olflcers, 
and  was  a  kind,  courteous,  efficient,  and  accomplished 
officer ;  his  loss  to  the  Legion  (Hampton)  is  great.  His 
name  will  be  cherished  by  the  sons  of  Carolina  so  long 
as  the  good,  patriotic,  and  brave  are  appreciated." 

Such  cases  were  not  isolated  ones  in  the  Southera 
armies ;  there  were  hundreds,  yea,  thousands,  of  such 
earnest,  faithful,  godly  men,  who  endured  hardships, 
poured  out  their  blood,  and  died  in  peace  amid  the  rage 
and  carnage  of  the  battle.  The  dying  words  of  our 
Christian  soldiers,  their  messages  of  love,  whispered 
amid  the  roar  of  cannon  and  the  rattle  of  rausketiy,  in 
the  ear  of  some  comrade  who  bent  over  them  and  gave 
a  cooling  draught  from  liis  canteen,  would  fill  volumes  if 
thej'  could  be  collected.  It  is  only  by  fragments,  how- 
ever, that  we  can  gather  up  their  precious  sentences  that 
si)arkle  with  a  heavenly  light  in  tlie  midst  of  the  gloomy 
horrors  of  war.  Many  of  the  best  and  purest  were  left 
scattered  over  the  wide,  blood-soaked  fields,  and  lan- 
guished and  died  from  home  and  friends  in  liospitals  and 
prisons  ;  and  not  until  the  coming  of  their  comrades  who 
survived  and  returned  home  did  their  friends  and  fami- 
lies receive  the  sweet  messages  of  love  that  were  laid 
like  healing  balm  on  their  bleeding  hearts. 


AUTUMN  OF   18G2.  203 

Never  were  stronger  proofs  given  of  the  sustaining 
and  comforting  power  of  religion  than  during  this  terri- 
ble war,  which  stripped  our  homes  of  loved  ones,  our 
land  of  plenty,  our  hearts  of  joy,  and  left  us  nothing  to 
fall  back  upon  in  our  sufferings  and  humiliation  but  the 
promises  of  God,  who  poured  out  his  Spirit  so  richly 
upon  our  soldiers  in  all  the  hardships  of  the  march  and 
in  all  the  unutterable  anguish  that  followed  our  great 
battles. 


204  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
AUTUMN    OF     1862. 

The  return  of  the  army  to  Virginia,  and  the  repose 
absohitely  necessary  after  so  arduous  a  campaign,  were 
highly  favorable  to  the  spread  of  religion  in  all  our 
camps.  The  men  wero  deeply  impressed  by  the  dangers 
thej^  had  escaped,  and  their  hearts  were  opened  to  re- 
ceive the  truth. 

"  They  gladly  hear,"  writes  a  clergyman,  "  and  with 
alacrity  assist  the  chaplain  in  all  his  work.  They  gather 
the  congregations  for  preaching  by  singing  hymns  under 
some  spreading  tree  in  the  midst  of  our  camp  after  cir- 
culating the  appointment  among  the  different  companies. 
These  sweet  songs  of  Zion  may  sometimes  be  heard  in 
different  parts  of  the  camp  at  the  same  time,  reminding 
one  very  forcibly  of  our  camp-meetings  at  home.  I  have 
seen  or  heard  of  but  little  scoffing  at  religion  and  reli- 
gious people  in  the  camps.  In  this  respect  I  have  been 
very  happil}'  disappointed,  from  what  I  had  been  told  of 
camp-life.  The  most  perfect  decorum  is  observed  during 
divine  service,  and  the  most  perfect  respect  is  mani- 
fested for  those  who  serve  God." 

Earl}'  in  October,  while  the  armj^  lay  near  "Winchester, 
there  were  evident  signs  of  a  deep  awakening  among 
the  troops.  Rev.  J.  W.  Mills,  in  a  letter  to  Bishop 
Pierce,  of  Georgia,  spoke  cheeringly  of  their  religious 
meetings  : 

"  Since  my  last,"  he  writes,  "  the  great  Head  of  the 
Church  has  wouderfull}^  favored  us  with  a  gracious  revi- 
val of  his  work  in  the  camp  among  the  soldiers.  We 
had  preaching  every  night  for  nearly  a  week.  There 
was  an  average  of  about  twenty-five  anxious  seekers, 


AUTUMN  OF   1862.  205 

who  approached  when  the  invitation  was  given,  and 
kneeled  upon  the  ground  near  the  spot  occupied  by  the 
chaplain.  It  was  a  solemnly  impressive  scene.  Many 
manly  tears  were  shed,  and  many  noble  hearts  throbbed 
with  deep  emotion.  If  tJiere  was  mocking,  we  heeded 
it  not;  the  loud  whistling,  talking,  hallooing,  cooking, 
eating,  and  constant  moving  about  the  camp,  disturbed 
us  not ;  the  loud  calls  of  the  sentinel  close  by,  '  Sergeant 
of  the  guard,  post  number  four,'  drew  us  not  off  from  our 
purpose.  God  was  in  our  thoughts  and  hearts.  We 
were  dead  to  the  things  of  this  world.  Fifteen  joined 
the  Church  during  this  protracted  meeting,  and  we  have 
good  hope  that  many  of  them  have  been  soundl}'^  con- 
verted. 

"  During  the  meeting  a  man  said  to  me,  '  Sir,  I  am  a 
renegade  from  your  Church,  and  am  now  a  skeptic ;  I 
want  your  advice.'  Said  I,  'If  I  had  been  in  your 
present  condition  when  you  were  in  the  full  enjoyment 
of  religion,  and  had  applied  to  you  for  advice,  what  ad- 
vice would  you  have  given  me?'  'Get  back  into  the 
Church  and  the  service  of  God  as  soon  as  possible,'  said 
he,  quickl}'.  'That  is  my  advice  to  you  then,'  I  re- 
sponded. '  ril  do  it,'  said  he ;  and  so  he  did  the  first 
time  the  door  of  the  Church  was  opened. 

"  Friends  and  our  loved  ones  at  home  have  not  been 
forgotten  b}''  us  in  our  praj'ers  and  our  rejoicing.  One 
said  to  me,  just  before  service  one  night :  '  I  want  you 
to  remember  my  wife  and  children  in  3^our  prayers  to- 
night.' What  a  privilege  !  God  will  hear  us  and  bless 
them.  Many  knew  not  what  blessings  wife  and  children, 
home,  and  peace  were,  till  this  cruel  war  poured  over  us 
its  tide  of  woe  and  miser3^  Oh,  God  !  convert  the  sol- 
dier and  protect  his  wife  and  children  during  his  ab- 
sence." 

The  heart}'  singing  in  these  gatherings  in  the  fields  or 
forests  was  truly  delightful.  Hundreds  of  strong,  manly 
voices  poured  out  a  volume  of  rich  melodv  on  the  evcn- 

•tA 


206  THE   GREAT  REVIVAL. 

ing   air.     Among   the   favorite   hymns  of  the   soldiers 
were — 

"  How  firm  a  foundation,  ye  saints  of  the  Lord, 
Is  laid  for  your  faith  in  his  excellent  Word  !" 

And  those  stirring  lines,  so  applicable  to  our  suflFering 
heroes — 

"  Am  I  a  soldier  of  the  Cross, 
A  follower  of  the  Lamb, 
And  shall  I  fear  to  own  his  cause, 
Or  blush  to  speak  his  name?" 

These  scenes  were  full  of  the  elements  that  stir  the 
soul  in  all  its  noblest  feelings.  In  their  tattered  gar- 
ments, some  hatless,  many  shoeless,  wrapped  in  their 
blankets,  sat  these  Confederate  soldiers  around  their 
camp-fires,  listening  to  the  Word  of  Truth  from  the  lips 
of  the  chaplain  or  some  pious  comrade ;  and,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  preacher  and  exhorter,  joining  in  the  prayer- 
meeting  with  hearts  full  of  gratitude  to  God  for  his  pro- 
tecting power  amidst  the  dangers  of  the  war. 

The  following  scene,  described  by  Captain  Kirkpat- 
rick,  of  Lynchburg,  Va.,  will  give  the  reader  a  vivid  pic- 
ture of  those  blessed  seasons  of  grace  among  the  men 
of  war : 

"A  few,  including  seven  who  were  not  professors  of 
religion,  as  they  sat  around  their  camp-fire,  began  to 
sing  hymns  in  God's  praise.  I  went  and  joined  in  the 
singing.  After  a  little  while,  I  made  a  few  remarks  to 
the  little  company — no  formal  address,  but  as  I  sat  on 
the  ground,  and  in  a  conversational  way.  I  said  to  them 
that  it  would  be  such  a  blessed  thing  if  those  present 
would  agree  to  consecrate  themselves  to  God  from  that 
hour.  I  pointed  them  to  the  blood  of  Jesus  as  the  only 
atonement  for  sin,  and  to  his  righteousness  as  our  only 
ground  of  acceptance  with  God  the  Father.  I  then 
asked  each  man  present  what  he  purposed  with  refer- 
ence to  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  To  my  surprise,  every 
man  present,  except  one,  declared   himself  ready  then 


AUTUMN  OF   1862.  207 

and  there  to  give  up  sin,  to  turn  unto  God  with  a  full 
purpose  of  new  obedience,  and,  resting  on  Jesus  for  sal- 
vation and  grace,  to  lead  a  new  life  thenceforth.  This 
was  the  happy  beginning  of  a  glorious  work.  Elvery 
night  since  that  it  has  grown  in  the  depth  of  its  solemn 
earnestness,  until  it  has  in  many  respects  become  the 
most  remarkable  outpouring  of  converting  grace  I  ever 
witnessed.  During  a  part  of  the  time  the  weather  was 
very  threatening  and  unpleasant,  but  this  did  not  pre- 
vent the  gathering  of  rejoicing  saints  and  anxious  in- 
quirers around  the  bright  camp-fire.  To  them  the  gospel 
has  been  preached  most  fully  and  tenderl}'.  Between 
forty  and  fifty  of  my  own  company  have  been  hopefully 
converted,  and  are  very  happy  in  hope  of  a  blissful  and 
peaceful  immortality.  Some  of  the  hardest  hearts,  long- 
lived  and  desperate  sinners,  have  been  melted  under  the 
power  of  the  truth,  and,  like  little  children,  have  come 
to  Jesus.  I  am  rejoiced  to  see  that  the  young  converts 
seem  to  be  aiming  more  at  the  substantial  graces  of  faith, 
humilit}',  and  love,  than  to  obtain  joy,  or  peace,  or  com- 
fort. Another  good  sign  is  the  fact  that  every  one  im- 
mediately engages  in  the  work,  and  seems  most  anxious 
to  do  something  for  perishing  souls  around  him." 

Rev.  Dr.  Stiles,  whose  eloquent  and  powerful  sermons 
can  never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  heard  them  in  the 
army  or  elsewhere,  gives  a  deeply  interesting  account 
of  his  labors  while  the  army  lay  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Winchester.  In  a  letter  to  the  Christian  Observer,  he 
says : 

"  My  object  in  addressing  you  a  note  at  this  time  is 
to  apprise  you  and  all  sympathizing  Christian  brethren 
and  sisters  in  Richmond  of  the  happy,  religious  condition 
of  that  part  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac  which  lies 
within  the  range  of  my  present  observation. 

"At  his  earnest  request,  I  preached  to  General  Fry- 
er's brigade  last  Sabbath.  Upon  one  hour's  notice,  he 
marched  up  twelve  or  fifteen  hundred  men,  who  listened 


208  Till::    GRKAT    REVIVAL. 

with  so  much  interest  to  a  long  sermon,  that  I  was  not 
surprised  to  hear  of  such  a  beginning  of  religious  in- 
terest in  various  regiments  of  the  brigade  as  issued  in 
a  half-wa}^  promise  on  my  part  to  fall  in  with  the  pro- 
posal of  the  General  to  preach  ver^^  early  to  his  soldiers 
for  a  succession  of  nights.  In  General  Lawton's  brigade 
there  is  a  more  decided  state  of  religious  excitement. 
The  great  body  of  the  soldiers  in  some  of  the  regiments 
meet  for  prayer  and  exhortation  every  night,  exhibit  the 
deepest  solemnit3%  and  present  themselves  numerously 
for  the  prayers  of  the  chaplains  and  the  Church.  Quite 
a  pleasant  number  express  hope  in  Christ.  In  all  other 
portions  of  Gen.  Early's  division  (formerly  Gen.  Ewell's), 
a  similar  religious  sensibility  prevails. 

•'In  Gen.  Trimble's,  and  the  immediately  neighboring 
brigades,  there  is  a  progress,  at  this  hour,  of  one  of  the 
most  glorious  revivals  I  ever  witnessed.  Some  daj^s 
ago  a  3'oung  chaplain  of  the  Baptist  Church — as  a  rep- 
resentative of  three  others  of  the  same  denomination — 
took  a  long  ride  to  solicit  my  co-operation,  stating  that 
a  promising  seriousness  had  sprung  up  within  their  dio- 
cese. I  liave  now  been  with  him  three  days  and  nights, 
preaching  and  laboring  constantly  with  the  soldiers 
when  not  on  drill.  The  audiences  and  the  interest  have 
grown  to  glorious  dimensions.  It  would  rejoice  you 
over-deeply  to  glance  for  one  instant  on  oar  night-meet- 
ing in  the  wild  woods,  under  a  full  moon,  aided  by  the 
light  of  our  side  stands.  You  would  behold  a  mass  of 
men  seated  on  the  earth  all  around  you  (I  was  going  to 
say  for  the  space  of  half  an  acre),  fringed  in  all  its  cir- 
cumference by  a  line  of  standing  officers  and  soldiers — 
two  or  three  deep — all  exhibiting  the  most  solemn  and 
respectful  earnestness  that  a  Christian  assembly  ever 
displayed.  An  officer  said  to  me  last  night  on  returning 
from  worship,  he  never  had  witnessed  such  a  scene, 
tliough  a  Presbyterian  Elder,  especially  such  an  abiding 
sole nmitv  and  delight  in  the  ser\ices  as  prevented  all 


AUTUMN  OF   1862.  209 

whispering  in  the  outskirts,  leaving  of  the  congregation, 
or  restless  change  of  position.  I  suppose,  at  the  close 
of  the  services,  we  had  some  sixty  or  seventj'^  men  and 
officers  come  forward  and  publicly  solicit  an  interest  in 
our  pra^'ers,  and  there  may  have  been  as  many  more 
who,  from  the  press,  could  not  reach  the  stand.  I  have 
already  conversed  with  quite  a  number,  who  seem  to 
give  pleasant  evidence  of  return  to  God,  and  all  things 
seem  to  be  rapidly  developing  for  the  best. 

'•  The  officers,  especially  Generals  Jackson  and  Early, 
have  modified  military  rules  for  our  accommodation.  I 
have  just  learned  that  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill's  division  enjoys 
as  rich  a  dispensation  of  God's  Spirit  as  Gen.  Early's. 
Ask  all  the  brethren  and  sisters  to  pray  for  us  and  the 
arm3^  at  large.  I  would  not  be  surprised  to  learn  that 
the  condition  of  things  above  described  prevails  exten- 
sively in  portions  of  our  soldiers  at  present  out  of  our 
view. 

"  P.  S. — I  have  opened  this  letter  the  second  time  to 
inform  you  of  the  wide  spread  of  holy  influence.  In 
Gen.  Pickett's  division,  also,  there  are  said  to  be  revi- 
vals of  religion." 

There  was  scarcely  a  brigade  in  the  army  in  which 
the  work  of  revival  did  not  go  forward  with  deepening 
power.  Some  of  the  far  Southern  troops  were  signally 
blessed  with  great  outpourings  of  the  Spirit.  The  60th 
Georgia  regiment  was  favored  with  the  services  of  a 
most  excellent  chaplain.  Rev.  Samuel  S.  Smith,  under 
whose  ministry  many  were  brought  to  Christ.  In  a  let- 
ter describing  the  revival  among  his  men,  lie  saj's  : 

"About  the  first  and  middle  of  October,  we  held  a 
series  of  meetings  in  camps,  during  which  time  many 
souls  were  renewed  and  encouraged,  several  were  made 
happy  in  the  love  of  God,  and  the  altar  was  crowded 
from  da}'  to  day  with  seekers  of  religion.  The  like  was 
hardly  ever  before  witnessed  in  camps.  I  was  blessed 
with  the  assistance  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Stiles,  of  the 


2l0  TIIE   GREAT   RE^aVAL. 

Presbyterian  Church,  to  whom  the  army  owes  a  debt  of 
gratitude  for  his  arduous  labors  aud  efforts  to  save  sin- 
ners from  the  wrath  to  come." 

The  revival  was  not  confined  to  the  soldiers  in  camp ; 
in  the  towns  in  Virginia  where  military  hospitals  were 
located,  there  were  gracious  displays  of  the  power  of 
God  in  the  salvation  of  souls.  The  convalescent  sol- 
diers flocked  to  the  churches  and  crowded  the  altars  as 
humble  penitents.  In  Farmville,  under  the  ministry  of 
Rev.  Nelson  Head,  there  was  a  most  interesting  revival, 
and  the  greater  number  of  the  converts  were  soldiers 
from  Georgia  and  Alabama.  In  Lynchburg,  Cliarlottes- 
ville,  Petersburg,  and  Richmond,  the  work  was  pervasive 
and  powerful. 

A  writer  in  one  of  the  Richmond  secular  papers, 
speaking  of  the  work  of  grace  in  the  hospitals  in  that 
city  and  other  places,  says  : 

"At  Camp  Winder,  for  some  weeks,  there  has  been  in 
progress  a  revival  of  religion.  Thirty -five  soldiers  have 
professed  to  be  converted.  Daily  meetings  are  being 
held,  and  numbers  are  manifesting  a  deep  interest  in 
reference  to  spiritual  things.  A  revival  is  also  in  pro- 
gress at  Chimborazo,  and  frequently  from  thirt}^  to  forty 
present  tiiemselves  as  'inquirers.'  Many  have  professed 
to  experience  the  saving  change.  One  hundre;!  have 
j)rofessod  conversion  within  a  comparatively  brief  period 
in  the  hospitals  in  Petersburg.  For  more  than  a  month  a 
protracted  meeting  has  been  in  progress  in  Lynchburg, 
at  whicli  some  twenty  soldiers  have  made  the  good  pro- 
fession. We  learn  from  the  post  chaplain  in  Farmville 
that  there  is  considerable  religious  interest  among  the 
hospitals  there,  and  that  eight  have  professed  conver- 
sion. At  other  points  the  divine  blessing  is  being  richly 
bestowed  upon  the  pious  efforts  of  chaplains  and  colpor- 
teurs. There  can  be  no  more  inviting  field  for  Christian 
enterprise  than  that  presented  by  the  hospitals.  In  this 
city  alone,  over  99,000  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  have 


AUTUMN   OF    18G2.  211 

been  in  the  hospitals.  At  no  time  do  men  feel  more 
grateful  to  the  Giver  of  all  Good,  and  more  like  becom- 
ing pious,  than  when  recovering  from  long  spells  of  sick- 
ness." 

The  revival,  at  this  period  of  the  war,  was  undoubt- 
edly greater  and  more  glorious  in  the  army  in  Virginia 
than  in  other  portions  of  the  Confederac3\  but  there  were 
happy  signs  of  spiritual  life  among  the  troops  in  the  far 
South  and  West.  On  Sullivan's  Island,  near  Charleston, 
S.  C,  there  was  a  blessed  work  of  grace,  which  power- 
full}'  checked  the  ordinary  vices  of  the  camp  and  brought 
many  souls  into  the  fold  of  the  Good  Shepherd.  Speak- 
ing of  this  work,  in  a  letter  of  October  9th,  Rev.  E.  J 
Meynardie,  chaplain  of  Col.  Keitts'  regiment  of  South 
Carolina  Volunteers,  says : 

"On  Thursday  evening,  25th  ult.,  the  religious  interest, 
which  for  some  time  had  been  quite  apparent,  became  so 
deep  and  manifest  that  I  determined  to  hold  a  series  of 
meetings,  during  which,  up  to  last  night,  ninety-three  ap- 
plied for  membership  in  the  various  branches  of  the 
Church,  nearly  all  of  whom  profess  conversion.  Every 
night  the  church  at  which  we  worship  was  densely 
crowded,  and  obvious  seriousness  pervaded  the  congre- 
gation. To  the  invitation  to  approach  the  altar  for 
prayer  prompt  and  anxious  responses  were  made  ;  and 
it  was  indeed  an  unusual  and  impressive  spectacle  to  be- 
hold the  soldiers  of  the  country,  read\'  for  battle,  and 
even  for  death  on  the  battle-field,  bowed  in  pra3'er  for 
that  blessing  which  the  warrior,  of  all  others,  so  much 
needs.  God  was  with  us  most  graciousl}',  and  it  was  a 
period  of  profound  interest  and  great  joy. 

"  The  influence  of  this  meeting  has  pervaded  the  regi- 
ment, and  is  still  operating  most  beneficially.  To  what 
extent  it  has  improved  the  morals  of  the  soldiers  it  is 
impossible  to  estimate.  Suffice  it  to  saj',  that  it  has 
struck  at  the  very  root  of  camp  vices,  and  the  great 
crime  which  is  more  frequently  committed  in  the  arm}^ 


212  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

against  God  and  common  decency,  than  an}'  other,  hides 
its  hideous  head — I  mean  profanity.  The  testimony  of 
a  soldier  who  writes  for  the  Soidhern  Lvtheran  is  :  'When 
we  first  came  into  camp,  swearing  was  a  common  prac- 
tice ;  but  now,  thank  God,  an  oath  is  seldom  heard. 
Our  men  seem  to  feel  as  if  they  ought  to  be  more  ob- 
servant of  God's  law.' 

"  The  Church  of  Christ  is  very  strongly  represented  in 
the  regiment.  We  have  many  praying  men  ;  and  indeed 
a.  more  quiet,  orderly,  and  religiously-disposed  body  of 
troops  cannot,  I  presume,  be  found  in  the  service  ;  and 
be  assured  that  when  the  time  for  fighting  comes,  beneath 
the  banner  of  the  Cross  and  our  country's  flag,  we  shall 
present  an  unflinching  front.  It  was  the  religious  fa. 
naticism  of  Cromwell's  puritanic  army  which  made  it  in- 
vincible. It  is  the  genuine  religious  tone  of  Jackson's 
which,  under  a  pious  commander,  has  thus  far  rendered 
it  unconquerable,  and  we  trust  that  the  powerful  religious 
element  in  this  command  will  inspire  sentiments  of  the 
highest  order  of  patriotism  when  the  occasion  comes  for 
every  man  to  stamp  himself  a  hero !" 

But  while  the  fruits  of  these  genuine  revivals  appeared 
so  abundantly  in  many  portions  of  the  various  armies  of 
the  Confederacy,  it  is  but  due  to  the  truth  of  history  to 
say  that  in  some  regiments  the  godly  labors  of  the  chap- 
lains were  treated  with  indifference,  and  sometimes  ac- 
tually opposed  by  the  officers  in  command. 

A  devout  and  eminent  minister,  in  speaking  of  the 
conduct  and  influence  of  this  class  of  officers,  says : 

"  In  many  of  the  regiments  there  are  no  chaplains  ; 
perhaps  because  in  some  instances  the  commanding  offi- 
cers of  the  regiment  do  not  desire  one,  and  none  is 
sought  for,  although  hundreds  of  the  rank  and  file  desire 
the  presence  of  the  minister  of  God  among  them. 

"Yet,  what  is  the  wish  of  this  large  majority  of  the 
regiment  to  weigh  against  the  purposes  of  an  ungodly, 
drunken,  swearing  Colonel,  who  thirks  himself  too  great 


AUTI'MN   OF    1862.  213 

a  man  to  be  reprored  for  his  sins  in  the  presence  of  the 
men  who  are  the  daily  witnesses  of  his  transgressions 
of  the  laws  of  God.  Pity  that  any  such  men  shouM 
have  the  control  to  such  a  great  exteiit  of  the  souls  and 
bodies  of  our  citizen  soldiers  ;  but,  unfortunately,  there 
are  many  such  ofliccrs  in  our  army.  I  recollect  a  case 
in  which  one  of  this  class  took  the  chaplain  to  task  for 
having  preached  against  profanit3^  and  charged  him  with 
having  taken  advantage  of  his  position  to  lecture  him  on 
swearing,  and  that,  consequently,  he  should  hear  him 
preach  no  more.  Was  not  this  very  dignified  behavior 
from  a  man  who  filled  the  important  and  responsible  po- 
sition of  Colonel,  commanding  perhaps  a  thousand  men, 
who  were  not  only  to  obey  his  orders,  but  also  look  to 
liim  for  an  example  as  an  officer  and  a  gentlemen  ?  He 
should  have  encouraged  his  men  to  attend  on  religious 
services  and  sliould  have  set  them  the  example,  whatever 
may  have  been  his  own  personal  predilections  on  tlie 
subject  of  religion.  And  this  man  is,  I  fear,  only  a  t3'pe 
of  a  large  number  of  men  who  occupy  positions  of  com- 
mand in  the  Confederate  army." 

Such  cases,  we  are  happy  to  say,  were  rare  exceptions 
in  our  array.  The  great  majority  of  the  officers,  if  not 
personally  pious,  were  men  who  had  been  trained  up  un- 
der moral  intluences,  and  they  gladly  afforded  the  chap- 
lains every  facility  for  conducting  religious  services. 

Among  the  episodes  of  this  period  of  the  war,  there 
are  few  more  touching  than  one  that  furnished  the  ground 
work  for  a  tract  written  by  the  Rev.  William  M.  Crum- 
ley, of  Georgia,  and  widely  circulated  among  the  sol- 
diers with  the  happiest  results.  Mt.  Crumley  was  one 
of  the  most  faithful  and  untiring  chaplains  that  labored 
in  our  armies.  Thousands  j'et  living  remember  with 
grateful  hearts  the  self-sacrificing  devotion  of  this  excel- 
lent minister.  He  was  chaplain  of  the  Georgia  hospi- 
tals at  Richmond,  but  did  not  confine  his  labors  to  the 
cit}' ;  on  ever}-  battle-field  where  the  army  of  Northern 


214  THK    GKEAT    REVIVAI,. 

Virginia  fought,  and  bled,  and  won,  he  was  found,  with 
other  members  of  the  Georgia  Relief  Association,  feed- 
ing the  hungry,  clothing  the  naked,  cheering  the  wound- 
ed, consoling  the  dying,  and  revealing,  in  every  form  of 
toil  for  the  good  of  liis  fellow-men,  the  highest  type  of 
the  Good  Samaritan.  As  the  writer  often  met  him  in 
these  labors  of  love,  it  gives  him  unusual  pleasure  to  of- 
fer this  slight  tribute  to  a  servant  of  God,  whose  faith- 
fulness in  answering  every  call  of  suffering  humanity 
has  never  been  surpassed,  and  seldom  equalled,  even  in 
the  midst  of  a  great  civil  war,  that  moves  to  their  ut- 
most depths  the  best  and  worst  passions  of  human  na- 
ture. 

But  we  will  not  longer  keep  the  reader  from  Mr. 
Crumley's  narrative  : 

"  Among  the  multiplicity  of  knapsacks,  haversacks, 
bundles,  and  old  clothes,  stored  in  one  of  the  baggage 
rooms  of  a  hospital  in  Richmond,  I  found  a  Soldier's  Bi- 
hie.  It  was  a  neat  London  edition,  with  a  silver  clasp, 
on  which  were  engraven  the  initials  A.  L.  C.  On  the 
fly-leaf  was  written,  in  a  neat  and  delicate  hand,  'A 
present  to  my  dear  son  on  his  fifteenth  birth-daj^  from 
his  mother,  M.  A.  C  Below  was  written,  in  the  same 
hand,  '  Search  the  Scriptures ;  for  in  them  ye  think  j'e 
have  eternal  life,  and  they  are  they  which  testify  of  me.' 
'  Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth.' 
*  If  sinners  entice  thee,  sonsent  thou  not.' 

"The  book  had  the  appearance  of  having  been  care- 
fullj-^  read,  there  being  many  chapters  and  verses  marked 
with  pencil,  as  tliough  they  had  strongly  impressed  them- 
selves on  the  mind  of  the  young  reader.  Among  them 
were  the  chapters  which  describe  the  heroic  daring  of 
the  youthful  David,  the  saintly  purity  of  Joseph,  and  the 
unflinching  fidelity  of  the  three  captive  boys  at  the  court 
of  Babylon.  Tlie  1st,  23d,  and  51st  Psalms,  bore  marks 
of  an  interested  reader.  In  the  New  Testament,  such 
Scriptures  as  speak  of  the  love  of  God  to  sinners  were 


AUTUMN   OF    18G2.  215 

carefully  noted :  '  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave 
his  only  besrottcn  Son,  that  ivhosoever  believeth  in  him 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.' — John  iii : 
IG.  'Though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  as 
white  as  snow  ;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they 
shall  be  as  wool.' — Isaiah  i:  18.  At  this  remarkably 
encouraging  promise  was  a  large  blood-stain,  as  though 
gory  fingers  had  been  tracing  out  every  word ;  also  at 
John  xiv :  1,  2 — 'Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled  :  ye  be- 
lieve in  God,  believe  also  in  me.  In  my  Father's  house 
are  many  mansions' — were  the  same  stains  of  still  broad- 
er and  deeper  dye. 

"Albert  was  the  only  son  of  a  pious  and  wealthy 
plamter  of  the  South.  Most  of  his  time  during  his  child- 
hood was  spent  in  the  country  on  his  father's  plantation. 
The  little  white  cottage  was  half-buried  in  evergreens, 
and  richl}'  festooned  with  fragrant  vines,  among  which 
the  wild  birds  nestled,  and  sang  with  their  sweetest 
melody.  On  the  hill,  at  the  end  of  a  long  avenue,  stood 
the  quiet  country  church,  where  little  Albert,  accom- 
panied by  his  parents,  sister,  and  aged  grandmother, 
met  the  families  of  the  neighborhood  to  spend  an  hour 
in  Sabbath  School,  and  then  listen  to  the  reverend  man 
of  God,  who  preached  to  them  the  precious  word  of  the 
Lord.  Here,  and  around  the  family  altar,  Albert  re- 
ceived that  moral  training  which  laid  a  deep  and  broad 
foundation  for  a  character,  in  many  respects,  worthy  of 
the  imitation  of  all  who  may  read  this  simple  narrative. 

"In  the  Sabbath  School  Albert  first  formed  the  ac- 
quaintance of  little  Jennie,  neatly  dressed  in  a  white 
muslin  with  a  blue  sash,  who  aftewards  became  the  beau- 
tiful and  accomplished  Miss  S.,  whose  daguerreotype  we 
found  in  the  soldier's  coat-pocket.  She  was  the  intimate 
friend  of  his  sister  Hattie,  and  often  his  successful  com- 
petitor for  prizes  offered  by  the  Superintendent  of  the 
Sabbath  School. 

"  In  the  vear  1856  Albert  was  sent  to  College  to  com- 


216  TIIK    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

plete  his  education,  and  Jennie  went  to  a  ladies'  College 
of  high  grade  to  complete  her  studies. 

"  A  few  notes  that  ran  the  College  blockade,  and  va- 
cation meetings,  sufficed  to  keep  up  their  acquaintance 
and  friendship.  In  the  summer  of  1860  they  both  gradu- 
ated with  honors  highly  creditable  to  them  and  gratif}"^- 
ing  to  their  friends.  On  their  return  home,  early  attach- 
ments ripened  into  something  more  than  friendship ;  but 
scarcely  had  the  bright  vision  of  hope  dawued  when  it 
was  overcast  by  the  dark  cloud  of  war  that  siiddenl}'- 
rose  upon  our  horizon.  The  country  called  the  brave 
j^oung  men  from  every  quarter  to  rally  in  iSouthern 
prowess,  and  with  battle  shock  roll  back  the  invading 
foe.  Albert  was  one  of  the  first  to  respond.  He  took 
his  place  in  the  ranks  as  a  common  soldier,  feeling  it  was 
honor  enough  to  be  a  private,  defending  his  couutr}',  his 
home,  and  his  beloved  Jennie ;  and  all  the  more,  as  he 
had  her  approving  smile  to  encourage  him. 

"  Albert's  departure  and  transfer  to  Virginia  by  rail 
are  scenes  so  common  to  soldiers  that  the}'  can  be  im- 
agined or  remembered  far  better  than  I  could  describe 
them. 

•'  There  is  one  incident,  however,  which  I  will  men- 
tion. Just  before  he  took  leave,  the}'  were  all  called 
around  the  old  family  altar.  Jennie  was  there.  Maum 
Patty,  the  nurse  of  his  childhood,  was  there,  with  snow- 
white  kerchief  about  her  ebon  brow  and  silver  locks. 
Many  were  the  bitter  sobs,  while  the  deep,  earnest  voice 
of  the  father  in  solemn  prayer,  like  the  patriarch  Abra- 
ham, bound  his  son,  his  only  son,  a  sacrifice  on  his  coun- 
try's altar.  When  the  amen  was  pronounced,  there  was 
in  ever}''  heart  a  feeling  too  deep  for  utterance.  In  this 
moment  of  silence,  a  mother's  hand  placed  the  Soldier's 
Bible  in  a  pocket  near  his  heart.  Albert  moved  slowly 
down  the  avenue,  the  embodiment  of  youthful  chivalry 
and  manly  beauty.  The  spectators  stood  like  breathless 
statues,  fearing  most  of  all  that  they  should  see  his  face 


AUTUMN   OF    1862.  217 

no  more.  Just  as  he  turned  the  corner  at  the  end  of 
the  avenue,  he  cast  one  glance  back  to  the  scenes  of  his 
childhood,  which  never  seemed  half  so  dear. 

"  After  a  long  and  uncomfortable  transit  by  rail  and 
forced  marches,  with  weary  limbs  and  blistered  feet,  he 
was  thrown  into  the  battle  of  Manassas,  on  the  21st  of 
July,  1861,  with  scarcely  time  to  kneel  by  an  apple-tree 
in  battle  line,  over  which  the  shells  were  howling  furi- 
oush'.  Here,  in  prayer,  he  hastil}'  committed  his  soul 
and  bod3^  to  his  faithful  Keeper,  then  rose  calm  and 
serene,  with  an  assurance  that  no  weapon  of  the  enemy 
would  harm  him. 

"  When  the  battle  was  over  and  victor^'  perched  upon 
our  banner,  Albert  found  himself  surrounded  with  the 
dead  and  dying,  among  whom  were  some  of  his  particu- 
lar friends.  He  was  strongly  and  strangely  exercised 
with  a  mingled  feeling  of  joy  and  grief,  a  sort  of  hys- 
teric paroxysm  of  laughing  and  crying,  weeping  for  the 
slain,  and  rejoicing  that  he  had  escaped  unharmed,  with 
a  deep  consciousness  that  God  had  been  his  shield  and 
hiding-place  in  the  hour  of  danger.  Albert  endured  all 
the  sufferings  of  fatigue,  cold,  and  hunger,  incident  to  a 
winter  campaign  ;  none  murmured  less,  none  were  more 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  duty,  than  he.  The  demor- 
alizing effects  of  the  camp,  with  almost  the  entire  ab- 
sence of  religious  privileges,  produced  a  coldness. in  Jiis 
state  ;  and  altliough  he  did  not  compromise  his  moral 
character  by  profanity,  gambling,  and  drunkenness,  as 
many  others  did,  yet  he  failed  to  enjo}^  the  close  com- 
munion and  clear  sense  of  the  Divine  presence  which 
he  had  done  in  former  days.  In  this  state  of  mind,  he 
entered  upon  the  seven  days'  battles  before  Richmond. 
The  solemnities  of  the  occasion  aroused  him  to  a  sense 
of  his  danger,  causing  him  to  cleave  more  closely  to  his 
Bible  and  its  precious  promises.  With  his  hand  on  this 
blessed  book  pressed  to  his  heart,  he  called  on  God  to 
be  his  shield  and  support  in  the  hour  of  battle.  He 
10 


218  THE    GREAT    RE\T[VAL, 

passed  the  terrible  ordeal  of  Gaines'  Mill  on  Friday, 
and  Malvern  Hill  on  Tuesday,  where  the  men  fell  around 
him  like  grain  before  the  reapers,  and  covered  the  ground 
thick  as  autumn  leaves.  A  degree  of  joy  and  gratitude 
swelled  his  heart  as  he  surveyed  the  field  of  death,  in 
view  of  his  own  wonderful  escape,  but  not  so  deep  and 
warm  as  on  a  former  occasion,  when  his  faith  and  piety 
were  more  earnest  and  simple.  Albert  continued  at 
times  to  read  his  Bible  ;  but  it  was  evidentl}'  more  as  a 
task  than  a  pleasant  duty ;  his  keen  relish  for  Divine 
things  had  abated  very  much  ;  the  excuses  of  camp-life, 
long  marches,  and  the  general  indifference  of  officers 
and  men  upon  the  subject  of  religion,  offered  his  con- 
science the  consolation  of  a  temporar}^  opiate.  Some- 
times, however,  on  the  reception  of  letters  from  home, 
and  sometimes  when  alone  on  his  midnight  round  of 
picket  duty,  he  would  shed  a  penitential  tear,  and  re- 
solve to  double  his  diligence  and  regain  his  lost  ground 
as  a  Christian  ;  but  a  plant  so  tender  and  unprotected 
by  the  pale  of  the  Church,  unwatered  by  the  dews  of 
the  sanctuary,  persecuted  and  scathed  by  the  lightnings 
of  contempt,  nipped  and  browsed  upon  by  every  wild 
beast  of  the  forest,  necessarily  became  greatly  dwarfed 
in  life  and  growth ;  a  feeling  of  self-security,  a  trust  in 
fate  or  chance,  impressed  him  more  than  a  simple  faith 
in  the  ever-present  God.  In  this  spiritually  demoralized 
condition  he  entered  the  Saarpsburg  fight,  without  even 
asking  God  to  protect  and  save  him  from  danger  and 
death.  Soon  after  the  battle  opened  he  was  struck  by  a 
ball  and  carried  back  to  the  rear  a  wounded  man ;  from 
profuse  hemorrhage,  a  sick,  dreamy  sensation  stole  over 
him ;  the  light  faded  from  his  eyes,  while  a  thousand 
mingled  sounds  filled  his  ears,  and  a  faint  vision  of 
home,  friends,  green  turf,  battle-fields,  and  grave-yards, 
flitted  by  like  phantoms  of  the  night.  With  returning 
consciousness,  there  came  a  sense  of  shame  and  sorrow 
for  having  declined  in  his  religious  state,  and  a  convic- 


AUTUMN    OF    18G2.  219 

tion  that  his  wound  was  the  chastening  of  the  Lord  to 
rebuke  his  wanderings  and  check  his  self-reliance. 

'•  As  soon  as  he  was  sufficiently  restored,  he  drew  from 
his  pocket  his  neglected  Bible,  kissing  it  many  times 
over,  and  bathing  it  in  tears  as  truly  penitential  as  Peter 
when  he  wept  at  the  feet  of  Jesus.  His  bloody  fingers 
searched  out  the  old-cherished  promises  of  God,  leaving 
many  a  gor}^  stain  on  the  blessed  pages  of  inspiratioji. 
The  law  of  the  Lord  again  became  his  meat  and  drink, 
on  which  he  feasted  by  day  and  by  night ;  a  new  life 
was  infused  into  his  soul,  which  enabled  him  to  bear  his 
sufferings  with  true  Christian  heroism. 

"  In  this  condition  I  found  him  in  the  old  Academy 
Hospital  in  Winchester,  lying  on  the  dirty  floor,  with  a 
blanket  for  his  bed  and  a  wisp  of  straw  to  pillow  up  his 
wounded  limb.  Wiiile  sitting  by  his  side,  trying  to  min- 
ister to  his  soul  and  body,  I  received  from  him  this  nar- 
rative substantially  as  I  have  given  it  to  you.  After 
much  severe  suffering,  when  our  arm}'  fell  back,  he  was 
sent  to  Staunton  and  thence  to  Richmond,  where  I  again 
met  him  jnst  in  time  to  witness  his  last  triumphant  con- 
flict with  suffering  and  death.  He  was  in  a  hospital,  re- 
clining on  a  clean,  comfortable  bed,  his  head  resting  on 
a  soft,  white  pillow,  on  which  the  familiar  name  of  a 
distinguished  lady  of  Georgia  was  marked — she  having 
contributed  it  from  her  own  bed  for  the  benefit  of  the 
suffering  soldiers.  Near  him  sat  the  matron  of  the  hos- 
pital, rendering  every  possible  comfort  that  the  sympa- 
thy of  a  woman  could  suggest,  intensely  sharpened  by 
the  recent  loss  of  a  promising  son,  who  fell  in  a  late 
battle.  Reduced  by  a  secondary  hemorrhage  and  am- 
putation, Albert,  with  a  calm,  stead}^  faith,  came  down 
to  the  cold  waters  of  Jordan,  where  he  lingered  for  a 
short  time  and  dictated  a  letter  to  his  mother,  which  I 
wrote  for  him,  in  which  he  gave  an  appropriate  word  to 
each  one  of  the  family,  not  even  forgetting  Maum  Patty, 
his  old  nurse,  and  reserving  a  postscript,  the  last  and 


220  THE   GREAT   llEVIVAL. 

best,  for  Jennie.  I  would  like  very  much  to  give  my 
readers  a  copy  of  this  letter,  but  it  is  the  exclusive  trea- 
sure of  the  bereaved  and  afflicted  ones,  whose  grief  is 
too  sacred  for  the  intermeddling  of  any  save  the  most 
intimate  friends. 

"After  pausing  a  few  moments  at  the  elose  of  the  let- 
ter, he  seemed  self-absorbed,  and  soliloquized  thus:  'I 
die  for  my  country  and  the  cause  of  humanity,  and,  with 
many  others,  have  thrown  my  bleeding  bodj'  into  the 
horrid  chasm  of  revolution  to  bridge  the  way  for  the 
triumphal  car  of  Liberty  which  will  roll  over  me,  bear- 
ing in  its  long  train  the  happy  millions  of  future  gene- 
rations,  rejoicing  in  all  the  grandeur  of  peace  and  pros- 
perity. I  wonder  if  they  will  ever  pause  as  thej''  pass 
to  think  of  the  poor  soldiers  whose  bones  lie  at  the 
foundation  of  their  security  and  happiness?  Or  will  the 
soul  be  permitted  from  some  Pisgah  summit  to  take  a 
look  at  the  future  glory  of  the  country  I  died  to  reclaim 
from  fanatical  thraldom  ?  Will  the  soul  ever  visit  at 
evening  twilight  the  scenes  of  m}^  childhood,  and  listen 
to  the  sweet  h3^mn  of  praise  that  goes  up  from  the  pa- 
ternal altar  at  which  I  was  consecrated  to  God  ?  Though 
unseen,  ma}'  it  not  be  the  guardian  angel  of  my  loved 
ones  ?'  Checking  himself  he  said  :  '  These  are  earthly 
desires,  which  I  feel  gradually  giving  way  to  a  purer, 
heavenly  sj'^mpathy.'  Then,  in  a  low,  sweet  voice,  he 
repeated — 

'  Give  joy  or  grief,  give  ease  or  pain, 
Take  life  or  friends  away, 
I  come  to  find  them  all  again 
In  that  eternal  day.' 

"  He  repeated  the  last  line  with  an  emphasis  that 
threw  a  beauty  and  force  into  it  which  I  never  saw  or 
felt  before.  Seeing  that  he  was  connnuning  with  his 
own  soul,  and  that  spiritual  things  in  tlie  opening  light 
of  eternity  were  rising  in  bold  relief  before  his  vision 
of  faith,  I  withdrew  a  short  space  from  him,  feeling  it 


AUTUMN   OF    1862.  221 

was  holy  ground,  'where  the  good  man  meets  his  fate, 
quite  on  the  verge  of  heaven.'  He  then  gently  laid  his 
hand  on  his  Bible  and  the  daguerreotype  that  lay  near 
his  side,  and  amid  this  profound  stillness,  surrounded  by 
a  halo  of  more  than  earthly  glory,  gently  as  the  evening 
shadows  the  curtain  dropped,  leaving  nothhig  visible  to 
us  but  the  cold  and  lifeless  clay,  on  which  a  sweet  smile 
rested,  as  though  it  had  seen  the  happy  soul  enter  the 
pearly  gates  of  the  New  Jerusalem.  Thus,  far  from 
home  and  friends,  this  noble  youth  fell  asleep  in  Jesus, 
swelling  the  long  list  of  the  honored  dead ;  but,  'though 
dead,  he  3-et  speaketh.'  The  precious  treasure,  '  The 
Soldier's  Bible,''  has  been  returned  to  the  family,  and  is 
now  one  of  those  valued  relics  that  bind  many  sad  hearts 
with  links  of  gold  to  bygone  days." 


222  TllE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

AUTUMN    OF     1862. 

Let  us  now  turn  to  the  Arm}^  of  the  West  and  gathef 
up  a  few  of  the  precious  relics  that  lie  scattered  over 
that  wide  field. 

After  his  masterly  evacuation  of  Corinth,  and  the 
concentration  of  the  army  at  Tupelo.  General  Beaure- 
gard, worn  down  by  excessive  toil,  asked  to  be  relieved 
from  duty  in  order  to  recruit  his  shattered  health,  and 
General  Bragg  was  placed  in  chief  command. 

In  the  month  of  October,  the  Confederates,  under 
General  Van  Dorn,  made  an  attempt  to  retake  the  town 
of  Corinth,  which  was  held  l)y  the  Federals  with  a  heavy 
force.  The  attack  was  very  determined,  and  for  a  time 
promised  to  be  successful ;  our  forces  fought  their  way 
to  the  very  centre  of  the  town,  but  the  strong  works  and 
terrific  fire  of  the  enemy  forced  them  to  retire  at  the 
very  moment  when  victory  seemed  within  their  grasp. 
Our  men,  especially  the  Missourians,  under  Gen.  Price, 
fought  with  unsurpassed  bravery,  and  the  blood  of  hun- 
dreds of  the  noblest  and  best  enriches  the  ground  on 
wliich  Corinth  stands.  The  Federals  attempted  to  cut 
off  the  retreat  of  our  army  by  throwing  a  iieavy  column 
to  the  south  of  Corinth,  but  the  genius  and  experience 
of  Gen.  Price  completely  foiled  their  plans,  and  brought 
the  shattered  battalions  of  the  South  to  a  position  where 
they  could  make  a  successful  stand. 

The  march  of  General  Bragg  from  Mississippi  into 
Tennessee,  and  the  events  that  followed,  are  so  well 
known  that  we  need  not  do  more  than  make  such  refer- 
ence to  them  as  may  be  essential  in  keeping  up  the 
thread  of  our  narrative. 


AUTUMK  OF  1862.  223 

The  marching  and  manoenvering  of  both  armies,  Con- 
federate and  Federal,  ended  in  the  battle  of  Perr^^ville 
on  the  8th  of  October.  The  desperate  valor  of  the 
Southern  troops  bore  down  all  opposition  on  this  blood}'^ 
field,  and  after  driving  the  enemy  before  them  and  camp- 
ing for  the  niglit  on  the  field  of  battle,  Genex*al  Bragg, 
deeming  it  hazardous  with  his  wearied  men  to  renew  the 
conflict  with  the  heavily  reinforced  arm}^  of  the  Fede- 
rals, withdrew  in  good  order  to  Harrodsburg,  and  thence 
to  Br^'antsville.  In  his  official  report,  General  Bragg 
saj'S  of  this  battle  :  "  For  the  time  engaged,  it  was  the 
severest  and  most  desperatel}^  contested  engagement 
within  mj'  knowledge.  Fearfully  outnumbered,  our 
troops  did  not  hesitate  to  engage  at  any  odds,  and  though 
checked  at  times,  the}'^  eventualh'-  carried  every  position 
and  drove  the  enemy  about  two  miles." 

Many  a  Christian  hero  fell  in  this  sanguinary  battle, 
but  among  them  all  none  offered  a  purer  life  on  the  altar 
of  his  countr}'^  than  Thomas  Jefferson  Koger,  of  Ala- 
bama. He  was  a  pious,  zealous,  eminently  useful  minis- 
ter of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  South,  and  for 
nearly  twenty  years  had  been  a  member  of  the  Alabama 
Conference.  At  tlie  close  of  his  term  as  Presiding  Elder 
on  the  Columbus  District,  he  entered  the  army  of  the 
South  as  a  private  in  the  ranks,  but  was  afterwards  ap- 
pointed chaplain.  In  reference  to  his  entrance  upon  a 
military  life,  exchanging  the  quiet  round  of  ministerial 
duties  for  the  bustle  and  toil  of  a  soldier's  life,  we  must 
let  him  speak  in  his  own  vindication,  if  any  be  needed. 

In  a  letter  to  his  dear  friend,  Rev.  O.  R.  Blue,  he 
says  : 

"  I  go  from  a  deliberate  conviction  that  it  is  my  duty 
to  go.  It  is  under  these  feelings  alone  I  leave  m}^  fami- 
ly. I  go,  trusting  in  God  to  bless  and  prosper  me  in 
the  just  cause.  Pray  for  me."  To  his  wife,  writing  from 
Bowling  Green,  he  says  :  "  As  to  the  cause  of  my  ab- 
sence, I  think  there  need  be  no  apprehension.     There  is 


224  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

as  much  need  of  preachers  and  preaching  here  as  in  any 
place  I  have  ever  been  j-^et ;  and  I  try  to  mahitain  my 
place  as  a  Christian  minister  as  earnestly  and  heartily  as 
I  ever  did.  It  is  a  mistake  to  suppose  that  men  in  arms 
are  beyond  the  reach  and  influence  of  the  gospel.  They 
are  not ;  and  the  gospel  is  the  only  refining  and  elevat- 
ing influence  operating  on  them.  Wife,  children,  home 
and  its  endearments,  are  only  sweet  memories  here — not 
actual  restraints,  as  they  are  when  present.  And  then, 
the  sick  are  always  open  to  religious  impressions." 

At  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service  of  the  regi- 
ment which  he  served  as  chaplain,  he  returned  home, 
and  at  once  set  to  work  to  raise  a  compan}^  for  the  war. 
It  was  his  wish  to  return  to  the  armj'^  as  chaplain,  but 
the  person  who  was  expected  to  take  command  of  the 
new  company  having  declined  only  the  day  before  the 
election,  he  was  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  men  for  cap- 
tain. Having  been  mainly  instrumental  in  raising  the 
company,  he  did  not  feel  at  liberty  to  decline,  and  thus 
unexpectedly  he  found  himself  regularly  enrolled  as  a 
soldier.  He  carried  the  spirit  of  his  Master  with  him 
into  the  camp  ;  he  praj^ed  with  his  men  every  night,  and 
preached  to  them  on  Sabbath  whenever  circumstances 
permitted.  He  maintained  his  integrity,  and  never  com- 
promised on  any  occasion  his  character  as  a  minister  of 
Christ.  His  men  loved  him  devotedly,  and  alwaj's 
showed  him  the  highest  respect.  The  thoughts  of  this 
good  man  have  a  melancholy  interest  now  after  the 
storm  of  war  is  hushed,  and  we  look  back  on  the  past  as 
on  a  horrible  dream.     From  the  camp  he  wrote  : 

"No  man  leaves  wife  and  children  more  reluctantly 
than  myself.  But  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  do  it,  and 
must  bear  it.  I  am  trj'^ing  to  lead  a  godly  life,  and  do 
good  as  best  I  can  in  my  place  as  an  officer  and  minister 
of  the  gospel.  I  feel  that  I  am  in  the  way  of  duty,  and 
can  ask  God's  best  blessing  on  my  work.  I  am  a  soldier 
for  conscience'  sake.     I  am  here  because  duty  calls  me, 


AUTUMN  OF   1862.  225 

and  for  no  other  reason.  If  it  were  not  the  path  of 
duty,  I  should  utterly  loath  the  interminable,  never-ceas- 
ing confusion  of  camp  life." 

Again  referring  to  his  position  as  a  soldier : 

"I  could  not  be  a  soldier  unless  conscience  approved. 
It  is  only  when  m}'  own  land  is  invaded,  my  wife  and 
children  endangered,  that  I  dare  bear  arms ;  and  then, 
when  interests  so  vital,  so  personal,  are  at  stake,  it  is 
only  by  effort  I  could  remain  at  home." 

With  a  cheerful  and  buoyant  spirit  he  endured  the  pri- 
vations and  fatigues  of  military  life,  sustained  by  such  a 
noble  and  chivalric  sense  of  duty.  His  march  to  Per. 
ryville  was  his  last.  After  his  regiment  was  drawn  up 
in  line  of  battle,  his  Colonel,  passing  along  the  line,  ob- 
served him  writing,  and  asked  what  he  was  doing.  He 
replied,  "  Writing  to  ray  wife."'  This  hurried  note,  writ- 
ten on  the  edge  of  battle,  was  the  last  message  of  love 
to  his  family.  It  was  cut  short  by  the  order  "  Forward," 
and  at  the  head  of  his  men  he  plunged  into  the  fight. 
His  sword  was  shattered  in  his  hand  by  a  ball,  and  the 
next  moment  another  pierced  his  body.  He  fell  and 
died  on  the  field.  After  the  battle,  two  of  his  faithful 
soldiers,  at  their  own  request,  were  detailed  to  bury  him, 
and  while  performing  this  sad  dut}'^  were  captured  by  the 
enemy.  One  who  knew  him  well  and  loved  him  (Rev.  J. 
B.  Cottrell,  of  Alabama),  draws  his  character  in  a  few 
meaning  lines  : 

"  T.  J.  Koger  will  not  again  meet  in  Conference  with 
us.  Few  of  our  number  would  be  more  missed.  A 
very  peculiar  man  in  appearance,  and  a  peculiarly  true 
and  earnest  soul,  he  was  most  highly  esteemed  by  us  all. 
Few  men  ever  loved  the  Church  better,  or  were  more  at 
home  in  her  councils  or  at  her  altars.  He  was  popular 
among  his  brethren,  and  popular  amrng  the  people. 
Perfectly  fearless,  he  avoided  no  duty  or  responsibility. 
In  every  respect  he  was  reliable.  On  the  battle-field  of 
Perryville  he   fell,  attesting  his  devotion  to  his  native 


226  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

South.  He  was  one  of  the  few  men  who  could  have  gone 
on  to  any  position  in  the  service  in  which  he  fell,  and  af. 
terwards  have  come  back  to  the  work  of  a  Methodist 
preacher.  One  bright,  sunny  spirit  less-7-we'll  miss  and 
lament  him." 

On  this  hard-fought  field  the  private  soldiers,  unknown 
to  fame,  fought  and  died  like  heroes.  An  eye-witness 
writes  : 

"  A  Christian  soldier  was  pierced  bj'^  a  minie-ball  in  the 
left  breast  during  the  first  charge  of  our  troops  at  Per. 
ryville,  and,  in  reply  to  a  friend  who  proffered  him  as- 
sistance, said  :  'No,  I  die.  Tell  mj'-  parents  I  die  happy. 
On,  on  to  victory.  Jesus  is  with  me,  and  can  give  me 
all  the  help  I  need.'  A  gasp,  a  shudder,  and  all  was 
over — all  of  this  world's  pain  and  sorrow." 

The  constant  movemeuts  of  the  armies  in  the  West, 
after  the  battles  of  Corinth  and  Perr3'ville,  were  unfavor. 
able  to  the  cause  of  religion  among  the  soldiers.  But 
in  all  the  camps  there  were  devout  men  who  maintained 
their  Cliristian  character  unsullied,  and  who,  by  example 
and   precept,  strove  to  lead  their  comrades  to  Christ. 

One  of  the  hindrances  to  the  work  of  God  was  found  in 
the  passion  for  speculation  and  extortion  that  possessed 
the  souls  of  thousands  in  the  army  and  out  of  it.  A 
writer  in  one  of  the  religious  papers,  speaking  of  the 
condition  of  society  in  Western  Georgia,  said  in  Novem. 
ber,  1862  : 

"Speculators  and  extortioners  are,  true  to  their  in- 
stincts, ravaging  this  country,  monopolizing  every  arti- 
cle of  prime  necessity  as  soon  as  it  begins  to  get  a  little 
scarce.  They  seem  to  have  forgotten  the  awfid  denun- 
ciations of  God's  word  against  all  such  characters  and 
pi-oceedings." 

Against  tliis  base  desire  of  gain  at  home,  the  South 
had  to  fight  as  hard  as  against  her  avowed  enemies  on 
the  battle-field. 

The  spirit  of  prayer  tliat  prevailed  among  our  soldiers 


AUTUMN  OF  1862.  227 

impressed  even  the  minds  of  our  opponents.  In  an  in- 
terview with  a  committee  sent  by  a  convention  at  Chi- 
cago, comprising  Christians  of  all  denominations,  to  urge 
the  abolition  of  slavery,  President  Lincoln  said  : 

"The  rebel  soldiers  are  praying  with  a  great  deal 
more  earnestness,  I  fear,  than  our  own  troops,  and  ex- 
pecting God  to  favor  their  side  ;  for  one  of  our  soldiers, 
who  had  been  taken  prisoner,  told  Senator  Wilson,  a  few 
days  since,  that  lie  met  with  nothing  so  discouraging  as 
the  evident  sincerity  of  those  he  was  among  in  their 
pra^'ers." 

In  the  midst  of  the  grief  that  wrung  the  hearts  of  our 
people,  they  did  not  forget  to  call  upon  God  for  the  re- 
storation of  peace  to  their  unhappy  countr3\  A  lady, 
one  of  those  noble  specimens  of  humanity  that  hovered 
like  angels  of  merc^^  around  the  sick  and  wounded  sol- 
diers in  the  hospitals,  or  toiled  for  them  in  the  silent 
and  forsaken  homes  of  the  South,  appealed  to  her  sis- 
ters to  devote  one  day,  the  1st  of  December,  1862,  to 
prayer  for  the  restoration  of  peace.  From  Chapel  Hill, 
N.  C,  she  sent  forth  her  appeal:  "On  that  day,  at  12 
o'clock,  let  every  woman's  heart  be  lifted  in  prayer  for 
her  country.  Let  the  sick  woman  on  her  bed  remember 
the  day  and  hour  ;  let  the  bus}^  forego  her  business  ;  and, 
I  was  going  to  say,  let  the  gay  suspend  her  gaiety,  but  I 
trust  there  are  no  gay  women  in  the  South  now ;  but  let 
the  young,  beautiful,  and  hopeful,  equally  with  those 
who  can  lay  no  claim  to  such  titles,  think  of  the  dead, 
and  the  dying,  and  the  mangled,  think  of  the  broken- 
hearted, tlie  destitute,  the  homeless,  think  of  the  widows, 
the  fatherless,  the  childless,  of  this  awful  war,  and  let 
every  true-hearted  woman  be  stirred  to  pray  as  with  one 
voice  on  that  day  to  God  for  help  and  for  peace — an 
honorable  peace." 

To  this  appeal  of  the  soldiers'  truest  friend,  a  soldier 
added  his  appeal  from  "  the  edge  of  battle  :" 

"We  hope  that  no  wife  or  mother  or  sister  in  the  Con- 


228  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

federate  States  will  permit  the  call  to  go  by  unheeded. 
It  is  becomino;  that  they,  whose  hands  have  not  been  im- 
brued with  blood,  should  present  this  great  petition  to 
the  throne  of  our  Heavenly  Father.  Soldiers  and  coun- 
trymen, of  whatever  rank  or  station,  let  me  suggest  that 
we  also  unite  with  those  mothers,  wives,  and  sisters,  on 
that  day,  and  in  that  hour,  to  pray  that  the  hand  of  the 
Destro^-ing  Angel  may  be  stayed  before  we  all  are  sunk 
in  hopeless  ruin.  Let  the  workman  close  his  shop  ;  the 
merchant  his  store.  Let  all  the  trade  and  business  of 
every  description  be  deserted.  Let  the  soldier  retire  to 
the  silent  grove,  or  unite  in  prayer  with  his  pious  com- 
rades in  the  tent.  Let  the  sentinel  plead  for  it  in  his  si- 
lent tread,  and  the  sick  soldier  upon  his  lonely  couch. 
Let  Heaven  be  emphatically  besieged  on  that  day  by  the 
entreaties  and  supplications  of  earnest  souls,  for  peace — 
an  honorable  peace.  Oh !  my  countrymen,  remember, 
only  one  hour  of  that  time  which  is  not  yours,  but  God's, 
is  all  that  is  asked  for,  in  which  to  unite  with  those 
whom  we  love  (and  who  have  shown  in  a  thousand  ways 
their  love  to  us),  to  plead  with  the  throne  of  Jehovah, 
for  the  inestimable  blessings  of  peace  and  independ- 
ence upon  us  and  our  posterit3\  God  has  told  us  that 
where  even  two  or  three  of  his  children  unite  in  asking 
a  blessing  he  will  give  it  to  them  in  a  special  manner. 
Oh  !  my  countrymen,  will  he  shut  those  ears  which  are 
ever  so  read}^  to  catch  the  first  breathing  of  a  penitent 
soul  ?  will  he,  I  say,  shut  them  against  the  earnest  cr}'- 
of  a  penitent  nation  ?  On  one  remarkable  occasion, 
when  our  Saviour  was  in  great  trouble,  as  we  are  now, 
he  asked  his  disciples  to  watch  and  pray  with  him  one 
hour.  Shall  he  have  to  upbraid  us,  as  he  did  them,  with 
those  sorrowful  but  tender  words,  'What,  could  ye  not 
watch  and  pray  one  hour  ?'  Oh  !  blessed  Saviour  !  help 
us  so  to  watch  and  pray,  in  th<it  hour,  as  that  we  may 
prevail  with  thee,  and  secure  the  blessings  of  a  speedy 
I)cace  to  our  tempest-tossed  and  war-worn  people.    Speak 


AUTUMN   OF    1862.  220 

the  word  only,  thou  Son  of  God,  to  this  great  tempest. 
'Peace,  be  still,'  and  there  will  be  a  great  calm." 

The  approach  of  winter  caused  a  cessation  of  military 
operations  on  a  large  scale..  General  Bragg  lay  with  his 
arm}'  in  Middle  Tennessee,  covering  several  important 
strategic  points ;  General  Kirby  Smith  was  in  P^ast  Ten- 
nessee :  General  Pemberton  was  in  the  vicinit}^  of  Holly 
Springs,  Miss. ;  while  smaller  bodies  of  troops  were  scat- 
tered over  the  countr}'  for  the  defence  of  the  vast  lines 
of  communication  with  tlie  East  and  the  South.  In  all 
these  camps,  the  chaplains  and  colporteurs  were  at  work 
preaching  the  word,  circulating  religious  papers,  tracts, 
and  portions  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  thus  sowing  the 
seeds  of  that  great  revival  which,  later  in  the  war,  swept 
through  the  armies  of  the  West  like  fire  in  drj^  stubble. 

It  has  been  often  said  that  the  Southern  people  rushed 
into  the  war  without  reflection,  and  without  pausing  to 
think  of  the  awful  calamities  it  would  bring  with  it. 
This  may  have  been  so  with  many,  but  it  was  not  so 
with  all.  The  great  minds  of  the  South  knew  well  what 
was  involved  in  war,  war  in  its  worst  type — civil  war. 
In  the  autumn  of  this  yesiv  (1862),  Bishop  James  O.  An- 
drew, of  the  M.  E,  Church,  South,  in  an  address  to  his 
Church,  urging  a  full  and  cordial  maintenance  of  the 
Clu-istian  ministry  in  time  of  war,  uttered  this  prophecy, 
which  the  venerable  man  lived  to  see  fulfilled:  "We 
have  as  yet  scarcely  seen  the  half  of  the  evils  which  this 
war  is  bringing  on  us.  To  be  sure,  there  is  sorrow 
enough,  and  poverty  and  lack  of  bread  enough ;  in  many, 
A-ery  many  instances  we  have  extortion  and  bankruptcy 
enough,  and  sufficient  manifestations  of  heartlessness  to 
make  us  sick  of  earth  and  most  of  its  associations ;  vet 
these  are  not  all,  nor  even  a  tithe  of  the  evils  which  we 
suffer  from  the  war."  ^ 

The  Bishop  laments  that  '-the  tendency  of  a  state  of 
things  in  which  war  is  the  chief  subject  of  thought  and 
glorification  is  to  exalt  military  studies  and  pursuits 
10a 


230  THE   GREAT   REVTYAL. 

above  everything  else,  and  thus  leave  but  little  room  for 
the  cultivation  of  meekness,  humilit3%  gentleness,  and 
faith  and  love,  which  constitutes  the  religion  of  the 
blessed  Jesus  ;  and,  as  thesQ  do  not  thrive  well  in  a  war- 
like atmosphere,  there  is  great  danger  of  losing,  or,  at 
least,  very  greatly  abating,  the  spiritualit}'^  and  the 
power  of  the  religion  of  the  Church,  and  subtracting 
very  materially  from  the  respect  which  many  professed 
Christians  in  the  Confederacy  have  for  all  the  institu- 
tions in  the  Church,  and  especially  for  the  ministers  of 
religion." 

All  previous  wars,  with  hardly  an  exception,  afforded 
ground  for  such  a  conclusion ;  but  the  great  anomaly  of 
our  war  was,  that  while  religion  may  have  languished  at 
home,  in  the  armies  it  flamed  out  with  a  power  and  bril- 
liancy' unheard  of  before  in  the  annals  of  civil  strife  and 
bloodshed.  This  great  fact  came  to  view  more  clearly 
as  the  conflict  deepened,  and  no  man  rejoiced  in  it  more 
than  did  the  eminent  and  venerable  Bishop  Andrew.  At 
this  day  there  are  ministers  of  Christ  of  high  talents  and 
great  usefulness,  who  were  born  of  God  amidst  the 
smoke  and  flame  of  battle,  and  who  heard  the  call  of 
the  Spirit  to  a  nobler  warfare  above  the  rattle  of  mus- 
ketry and  the  roar  of  cannon.  And  with  these  there 
stand  now  in  the  ranks  of  the  laity,  filling  honorable  and 
useful  offices  in  the  Church  of  God,  their  comrades,  who, 
in  the  midst  of  like  scenes,  "  tasted  of  the  good  word  of 
God  and  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come."  Mingled 
with  sad  remembrances  of  the  great  struggle,  they  have 
a  joyous  recollection  of  the  time  and  the  place  when 
peace  was  planted  in  the  soul  on  the  field  of  blood. 

"  The  gladness  of  that  happy  day, 
Oh,  may  it  ever,  ever  stay  !" 


WINTER  OF  1862-'63.  231 


CHAPTER  XV. 
WINTER  OF   1862-'63.  ' 

The  battle  of  Sharpsburg  was  followed  by  a  series  of 
movements  which  brought  both  armies  face  to  face  again 
on  the  soil  of  Virginia.  The  unfortunate  General  Mc- 
Clellan  fell  under  the  ban  of  his  government,  and  was 
superseded  by  General  Burnside.  The  Federal  army 
moved  slowly  southward  from  the  Potomac  to  the  Rap- 
pahannock, while  the  Confederates  made  a  correspond- 
ing march  through  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  crossed  the 
Blue  Ridge,  and  placed  themselves  on  the  south  side  of 
the  last  named  river.  We  quote  from  the  "notes"  of 
Rev.  J.  W.  Mills,  who  fully  participated  in  all  the  hard- 
ships of  the  armj^ : 

"October  29th. — Orders  just  received  from  headquar- 
ters to  cook  two  days'  rations,  and  be  in  readiness  to 
march  in  the  morning  at  an  early  hour.  All  is  anxiety — 
no  one  knows  whither  we  are  to  move.  Are  we  to  cross 
the  Potomac  and  attack  the  Yankees  ?  Or  are  we  to  go 
southwards  to  some  point  of  railroad  communication 
with  home  and  friends  r*  These  are  questions  of  impor- 
tance to  us.  I  hear  men  saying :  *  Well,  I  will  go  any- 
where I  am  ordered.' " 

In  this  long  march  many  of  the  soldiers  suffered 
greatly  for  want  of  shoes  and  clothing.  "Each  regi- 
ment," says  Mr.  Mills,  "  has  its  barefooted  squad,  who 
are  permitted  to  pick  their  way  through  the  rocks  as 
best  they  can."  The  feelings  of  our  people  in  the  Val- 
ley, as  they  saw  the  troops  move  on  with  the  head  of 
the  column  filing  oflF  towards  the  mountains,  were  very 
sad.  "As  we  marched  through  Winchester  the  band 
played  '  Old  Folks  at  Home.'    We  saw  ladies,  young  and 


282  THE    GKEAT    RE\nVAL, 

old,  looking  on  with  sad  faces,  many  of  them  weeping. 
Could  we  have  spoken  to  these  sorrowing  ones,  we  would 
have  said,  '  Be  not  alarmed,  Stonewall  Jackson  is  some- 
ivhere.' " 

"Friday,  October  31st. — In  lines  and  off  at  7  o'clock. 
INIany  are  limping  with  blistered  feet  and  swollen  joints. 
The  barefooted  stood  the  march  better  than  those  whose 
shoes  were  not  a  good  tit.  Many  are  carrying  their  shce« 
in  their  hands  to-day.  Tho  Shenandoah  river  is  to  wade 
tliis  morning,  and  we  are  anxious  to  get  to  it,  hoping 
that  the  water  will  be  some  relief  to  scalded  and  burn- 
ing feet.  Some  stripped  their  feet  and  legs,  others 
plunged  in  with  shoes  and  socks  on.  The  water  was 
almost  freezing  cold,  and  was,  as  we  thought,  a  great 
benefit  to  our  sore  feet. 

"  On  Sunday  the  army  reached  Culpeper,  and  each  re- 
giment gave  a  shout  of  joy  as  it  went  into  camp  within 
hearing  of  the  whistle  of  the  engine  bringing  news  from 
home  and  friends.  Three  months  before  the  army  had 
left  Gordonsville  to  drive  the  enemy  out  of  Virginia. 
We  have  fought  many  hard  battles,  suffered  hunger  and 
weariness  to  an  incredible  degree ;  and  done  all  this 
without  a  change  of  clothing,  and  many  without  shoes 
or  blankets." 

In  this  campaign  many  thousands  of  our  wounded 
soldiers  were  necessarily  left  within  the  Federal  lines ; 
and,  while  many  of  them  suffered  and  died  in  hospitals 
and  prisons,  it  is  pleasing  to  record  instances  of  kind-, 
ness  shown  to  such  as  were  more  fortunate  by  good  men 
and  good  women  at  the  North.  The  case  of  the  Rev. 
George  G.  Smith,  of  the  Georgia  Conference,  chaplain 
of  Phillips'  Georgia  brigade,  affords  a  pleasing  episode. 
He  received  a  dreadful  wound  in  the  battle  of  Boons- 
boro ;  the  ball  struck  him  in  the  neck,  passed  through 
the  body,  and  came  out  near  the  spine,  cutting  some  of 
the  nerves  of  the  brachial  plexus  and  paral3^zing  the 
left  arm.     In  this  condition  he  was  captured,  and  for 


wmxER  OF  1862-'63.  233 

mai\v  weeks  remained  a  prisoner  in  Maryland.  With 
many  other  wounded  Confederates,  he  had  good  reason 
to  remember  the  kindness  of  sympathizing  friends.  Of 
his  own  case,  he  says  : 

"  'My  personal  obligations  to  these  people  can  never 
be  met.  Literally,  •  I  was  hungry,  and  they  gave  me 
meat ;  naked,  and  they  clothed  me ;  and  sick  and  in 
prison,  and  they  visited  me.'  A  good  woman  took  me 
to  her  house  in  Boonsboro  and  nursed  me  as  her  child, 
and  a  gentleman  in  Baltimore  sent  for  me  when  he 
learned  my  condition,  and  did  what  he  could  to  get  me 
to  his  house — furnished  me  with  money — and  when  at 
last  he  got  me  to  his  home,  he  furnished  me  with  all  he 
could  conceive  I  needed.  To  his  good  wife  and  himself 
I  owe  more  than  I  can  ever  repay." 

Mr.  Smith  finally  recovered  of  his  wound,  but  partial 
paralysis  of  his  system  remains,  which,  however,  does 
not  prevent  his  continuing  in  the  ministerial  work.  He 
is  now  an  active  and  useful  member  of  the  Georgia  Con- 
ference of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South. 

In  the  same  battle  (Boonsboro)  a  son  of  Bishop  James 
O.  Andrew  was  severely  wounded  and  left  upon  the  field. 
The  venerable  Bishop  records  his  gratitude  to  those  who 
befriended  his  boy.     He  says  : 

"  The  battle  was  fought  on  Sunday  morning,  and  he 
lay  on  the  field  till  next  day ;  and  during  that  night,  he 
thinks,  he  must  have  died  with  cold  but  that  two  kind 
Federal  soldiers  took  him  to  the  fire,  gave  him  some  hot 
coflfee,  and  covered  him  with  a  couple  of  overcoats  and  a 
blanket.  He  was  moved  to  the  hospital,  but  his  wounds 
were  not  dressed  until  Wednesday.  Shortly  after,  Mr. 
H.  called,  had  him  paroled,  and  took  him  to  his  home 
and  treated  him  as  if  he  were  his  own  son.  He  speaks 
in  glowing  terms  of  the  kindness  of  the  people  of  Ma- 
ryland, and  especially  of  the  great  kindness  shown  to 
the  Confederate  prisoners  by  the  ladies  of  Baltimore. 
I  feel  grateful  to  God  for  his  care  of  my  boy,  especially 


234  TIIE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

in  raising  him  up  friends  in  a  land  of  strangers.  May 
God  bless  them  all." 

A  singular  phase  of  the  war,  on  the  part  of  the  Fede- 
rals, was  the  summary  manner  in  which  ministers  were 
treated  who  fell  under  suspicion  of  disloyalty.  Many 
were  ejected  from  their  pulpits,  hurried  away  to  the 
North,  and,  in  some  instances,  confined  in  prison  like 
common  felons.  In  Nashville  several  prominent  clergy- 
men of  the  different  Churches  were  for  several  weeks 
confined  in  the  Peniteniiary.  The  scene  described  in 
the  following  extract  occurred  in  the  same  city : 

"  Rev.  C.  D.  Elliot,  though  a  Northern-born  man,  has 
been  raised  and  educated  in  the  South,  and  for  over 
twenty  years  has  been  principal  of  the  famous  Nashville 
Female  Academ3^  From  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and 
even  of  the  issues  that  led  to  tlie  war,  he  has  been  un- 
compromisingl}'^  Southern.  No  trimming  in  Elliot.  Well, 
the  Yankees  took  his  Academy  for  a  hospital.  One  day 
a  stout  fellow  of  the  35th  Ohio  regiment  called   at  his 

door,  wallet  in  hand.    '  My  name  is ;  I  came  from 

the  neighborhood  of  3'our  brothers,  and  have  messages 
from  them  to  you.  I  feel  a  little  unwell,  anj^how,  and 
thought  I  would  call  and  stay  with  you.'  '  Sir,'  said  El- 
liot, looking  waspishly  through  his  spectacles,  '  when  a 
man  in  that  uniform  calls  on  me  on  business  I  treat  him 
civilly,  but  I  decline  all  visits  from  such.'  '  But  I  have 
messages  from  your  brothers  to  you  ;  they  are  my  neigh- 
bors and — '  'Don't  care.  Don't  want  to  hear  any  mes- 
sages from  them  if  thc}'^  are  on  j-our  side,'  and  the  door 
slammed  in  Buckoj'e's  face.  A  few  days  afterward  this 
Buckej'c  and  a  Major,  on  horseback,  passed  by  Elliot's 
premises.  'Changed  your  sentiments  yet,  sir?'  said  the 
Ohio  soldier.  '  Not  at  all,'  was  the  repl}- ;  whereupon 
he  struck  Elliot  (a  small  and  feeble  man)  twice  over  the 
head  and  shoulders  with  a  stick,  and  then  kicked  him. 
Turning  to  his  Major — '  Major,  have  I  beat  him  enough  ?' 
The  Major,  putting  his  hand  to  his  pistol,  replied,  '  Beat 


WINTER  OF  18G2-'63.  235 

hira  just  as  long  as  you  please  !'  'Well,  I  guess  that'll 
do  for  this  time,'  was  the  remark  of  the  moderate  mem- 
ber  of  the  35th  Ohio  regiment.  A  regiment  was  passing 
at  the  time.  One  of  the  sick  soldiers,  to  whom  Elliot 
had  been  kind,  on  witnessing  this  treatment,  told  hira  if 
he  would  laj'  the  case  before  Gen.  Buell  he  would  get 
redress.  Elliot  answered,  '  I  look  for  my  redress  to  the 
Southern  army.' " 

In  New  Orleans,  where  General  B.  F.  Butler  exercised 
authorit}',  the  services  of  the  churches  were  interrupted 
by  the  arrest  and  deportation  of  ministers.  The  follow- 
ing appeared  in  a  Northern  paper  as  an  item  of  news  : 

"The  three  disloyal  Episcopal  clergymen.  Rev.  Dr. 
Goodrich,  Rev.  Mr.  Fulton,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Leacock,  who 
have  been  forwarded  to  this  city  from  New  Orleans  by 
Gen.  Butler,  staid  at  the  Astor  House  until  yesterday 
afternoon,  when  they  were  turned  over  to  the  custody 
of  the  United  States  Marshal,  who  will  consign  them  to 
Fort  Lafayette." 

The  offence  of  these  ministers  was  that  in  the  Sunday 
service  they  had  omitted  the  prayer  for  the  President  of 
the  United  States.  The  following  scene  is  a  specimen 
of  what  occurred  in  many  parts  of  the  South  under 
Federal  rule  : 

"As  the  Rev.  H.  R.  Smith,  of  Leesburg,  Va.,  came 
from  the  pulpit,  after  the  usual  Sabbath  services,  Capt. 
MeCabe,  one  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  officials,  arrested  hira  for 
disloj^alty,  objecting  to  his  sermon,  his  praj^er,  and  chap- 
ter read  from  the  Bible.  The  sermon  was  written,  and, 
on  examination,  they  were  constrained  to  withdraw  their 
charge  against  it.  '  But  you  did  not  pray  for  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States?'  Mr.  Smith  replied,  'No, 
sir,  I  prayed,  as  the  Bible  directs,  '  for  all  in  authority,' 
and  if  you  consider  Mr.  Lincoln  your  President  you 
could  join  in  that  prayer.'  Well,  the  captain  found  that 
he  must  waive  that  item  of  the  charge.  '  But  your  chap- 
ter— I  do  not  believe  the  words  read   are  in  the  Bible.* 


236  TIEE    GREAT    RE^^VAX. 

'  Yes,  sir,  they  are' — (Isaiah  xliii :  5,  6.)  '  But  3'ou 
should  not  have  read  there.'  Mr.  Smith  said  in  reply : 
'  They  have  no  reference  to  political  questions — and  do 
you  intend  to  limit  the  reading  of  God's  word?'  'Yes, 
sir !'  '  You  will  then  have  j-our  hands  full  before  you 
get  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.'  The  captain  then  said : 
'Take  the  oath,  sir,  and  j'ou  may  go.'  'No,  sir,'  Mr. 
Smith  replied,  'I  will  not.'  'Then  we  will  send  you  to 
Washington,'  '  Very  well,  sir.'  '  Appear  before  me  to- 
morrow morning  prepared  to  go.'  Mr.  Smith  appeared ; 
but  the  captain  and  his  counsellors,  it  appears,  had 
thought  better  of  the  matter." 

The  winter  of  1862  was  ushered  by  the  repulse  of  the 
Federals  at  Fredericksburg,  and  the  year  was  closed  b}"- 
the  battle  of  Murfreesboro  and  the  frightful  slaughter 
at  Stone  river.  The  movement  against  Fredericksburg 
was  the  fourth  attempt  to  reach  Richmond.  Generals 
McDowell,  McClellan,  and  Pope  had  failed,  and  now 
Burnside  was  hurled  back  across  the  Rappahannock  with 
his  shattered  and  beaten  army.  The  leaders  and  the 
men  who  successively  defeated  four  great  armies  of  the 
North  were  worthy  of  the  eulogies  bestowed  by  impar- 
tial spectators  of  the  war.  Mr.  Lawley,  an  English  gen- 
tleman, who  was  in  the  South  at  this  time,  wrote  to  the 
London  Times: 

"  It  is  a  strange  thing  to  look  at  these  men,  so  ragged, 
slovenly,  sleeveless,  without  a  superfluous  ounce  of  flesh 
upon  their  bones,  with  wild,  matted  hair,  in  mendicants' 
rags,  and  to  think  when  the  battle  flag  goes  to  the  front 
how  they  can  and  do  fight.  '  There  is  only  one  attitude 
in  which  I  never  should  be  ashamed  of  your  seeing  my 
men,  and  that  is  when  they  are  fighting.'  These  were 
General  Lee's  words  to  me  the  first  time  I  ever  saw  him. 
They  have  been  confirmed  by  every  other  distinguished 
oflBcer  in  the  Confederacy.  There  are  triumphs  of  daring 
which  these  poor,  ragged  men  have  attempted,  and  at- 
tempted successfully,  in  this  war,  which  have  never  been 


TviNTKR  OK  1862-63.  237 

attempted  by  their  Sybarite  opponents.  Again  and 
figain  they  have  stormed  batteries  formidably  defendeil, 
at  the  point  of  tlie  bayonet ;  nothing  of  the  kind  has 
ever  been  attempted  by  the  Federals." 

Tlii;  repulse  at  Fredericksburg  was  a  staggering  blow 
to  the  North.  Their  leading  journals  bewailed  it  as  a 
great  calamity.  The  New  York  IVor.'d  spoke  of  it  as 
"  the  most  terrible  defeat  of  the  war,"  and  placed  the 
loss  of  the  Federal  arm}-  at  more  than  fifteen  thousand 
men.  Meagher's  brigade  of  Irishmen  went  into  the  fight 
twelve  hundred  strong,  and  but  two  hundred  and  fifty 
could  be  found  next  morning.  The  World  said  edito- 
rially : 

"  Heaven  help  us — there  seems  to  be  no  help  in  man. 
The  cause  is  perishing.  Plope  after  hope  has  vanished, 
and  now  the  only  prospect  is  the  very  blackness  of  de- 
spair. Here  we  are,  reeling  back  from  the  third  cam- 
paign upon  Richmond,  fifteen  thousand  of  the  Grand 
Army  sacrificed  at  one  sweep,  and  the  rest  escaping  only 
by  a  hair's  breadth." 

The  Louisville  Journal  said  of  this  battle :  "  It  is 
painful  and  absolutely  sickening  to  read  of  the  horrible 
slaughter  of  our  troops  at  Fredericksburg.  The  war 
cannot  be  carried  on  much  longer  as  it  has  been.  Gen. 
French  went  into  battle  with  seven  thousand  men,  and 
two  days  after  the  battle  only  twelve  hundred  reported 
10  liim.  The  total  loss  in  his  brigade  alone  was  thirteen 
hundred  and  fifty-five." 

Concerning  this  disastrous  battle  General  Burnside 
sent  to  Washington  city  this  delicate  dispatch  : 

"  The  army  was  withdrawn  to  this  side  of  the  river 
because  I  felt  the  position  in  front  could  not  be  carried. 
It  was  a  military  necessity,  either  to  retreat  or  attack. 
A  repulse  would  have  been  disastrous  to  us.  The  array 
was  withdrawn  at  night  without  tlie  knowledge  of  the 
enemy,  and  without  loss  either  of  propertj'  or  men." 

This  victory  was  not  gained   without  a  vast  sacrifice 


288  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

of  noble  lives  on  the  part  of  the  Confederates.  Gen. 
Lee  was  supported  by  some  of  his  ablest  Lieutenants, 
and  never  did  the}^  more  gallantl}'  execute  the  orders  of 
their  great  chieftain.  The  following  extract  from  Gen. 
Lee's  official  report  will  give  the  reader  a  correct  view 
of  the  field  and  the  disposition  of  our  forces  : 

"  The  morning  of  the  13th,  his  arrangements  for  at- 
tack being  completed  about  nine  o'clock,  the  movement 
veiled  by  a  fog,  he  advanced  boldly  in  large  force  against 
our  right  wing.  Gen.  Jackson's  corps  occupied  the  right 
of  our  line,  which  rested  on  the  railroad ;  Gen.  Long- 
street's  the  left,  extending  along  the  heights  to  the  Rap- 
pahannock, above  Fredericksburg.  Gen.  Stuart,  with 
two  brigades  of  cavalry,  was  posted  on  the  extensive 
plain  on  our  extreme  right. 

"As  soon  as  the  advance  of  the  enemy  was  discov- 
ered through  the  fog.  Gen.  Stuart,  with  his  accustomed 
promptness,  moved  up  a  section  of  his  horse  artillery, 
which  opened  with  effect  upon  his  flank,  and  drew  upon  the 
gallant  Pelham  a  heavy  fire,  which  he  sustained  unflinch- 
ingly for  about  two  hours.  In  tiie  meantime  the  enemy 
was  fiercely  encountered  by  Gen.  A.  P.  Hill's  division, 
forming  Gen.  Jackson's  right,  and,  after  an  obstinate 
combat,  repulsed.  During  this  attack,  which  was  pro- 
tracted and  hotly  contested,  two  of  Gen.  Hill's  brigades 
were  driven  back  upon  our  second  line. 

"  Gen.  Earl}^  with  part  of  his  division,  being  ordered 
to  his  support,  drove  the  enem}'  back  from  a  point  of 
woods  he  had  seized,  and  pursued  him  into  the  plain  un- 
til arrested  bj^  his  artillery.  The  right  of  the  enemy's 
column  extending  be3'ond  Hill's  front,  encountered  the 
right  of  Gen.  Hood,  of  Longstreet's  corps.  The  enemy 
took  possession  of  a  small  copse  in  front  of  Hood,  but 
were  quickly  dispossessed,  and  repulsed  with  loss. 

"During  the  attack  on  our  right  the  enemy  was 
crossing  troops  over  his  bridges  at  Fredericksburg,  and 
massine:  them  in  front  of  Longstreet's  line.     Soon  after 


AviNTER  OF  1862-63.  239 

his  repulse  on  our  risjlit,  he  commenced  a  series  of  at- 
tacks on  our  left,  witli  a  view  of  obtaining  possession 
of  the  heights  immediately  overlooking  the  town.  These 
repeated  attacks  were  repulsed  in  gallant  style  by  the 
Washington  Artillery,  under  Col.  Walton,  and  a  por- 
tion of  McLaw's  Division,  which  occupied  those  heights. 

"The  last  assault  was  made  after  dark,  when  Col. 
Alexander  s  battalion  had  relieved  the  Washington  Ar- 
tillery (whose  ammunition  had  been  exhausted),  and 
ended  the  contest  for  the  day.  The  enemy  was  sup- 
ported in  his  attack  by  the  fire  of  strong  batteries  of  ar- 
tillery on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  as  well  as  by  the 
numerous  heavy  batteries  on  the  Stafford  Heights. 

"Our  loss,  during  the  operations,  since  the  movements 
of  the  enemy  began,  amounts  to  about  eighteen  hundred 
killed  and  wounded.  Among  the  former  I  regret  to  re- 
port the  death  of  the  patriotic  soldier  and  statesman, 
Brigadier-General  Thomas  R.  R.  Cobb,  who  fell  upon 
our  left ;  and  among  the  latter  that  brave  soldier  and  ac- 
complished gentleman,  Brigadier-General  Maxcy  Gregg, 
who  was  very  seriousl}^  and,  it  is  feared,  mortally 
wounded  during  the  attack  on  our  right." 

Among  the  Southern  soldiers  who  offered  np  their 
lives  in  this  battle  there  was  no  nobler  sacrifice  than  Geo. 
Thomas  R.  R.  Cobb,  of  Georgia.  His  ability  as  a  lawyer 
and  statesman,  and  his  pure  Christian  character,  gave 
him  great  influence  in  the  South,  and  particularly  in  his 
native  State.  He  gave  up  all  the  bright  prospects  which 
opened  before  him  in  the  civil  service  of  his  country,  and 
cast  his  lot  among  the  patriots  of  the  army.  His  death 
was  mourned  with  a  sincere  sorrow  throughout  the 
South.  In  the  death  of  Gen.  Maxcy  Gregg,  of  South 
Carolina,  the  country  lost  one  of  its  ablest  and  bravest 
soldiers.  He  had  been  in  the  struggle  from  the  first 
note  of  war  at  Sumter,  and  gave  his  labors  and  his  life 
to  a  cause  which  he  regarded  as  one  of  the  holiest  for 
which  a  man  could  die. 


240  TIIK    GltEAT    IlEVIVAL. 

The  following  incident  is  related  of  this  heroic  officer. 
During  the  retrejit  of  the  Confederate  army  from  Mary- 
land, after  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg,  Gen.  Gregg  com- 
manded Ihe  rear-guard,  Gen.  T.  T.  Munford.  of  Virginia, 
commanding  the  cavalry  covering  the  rear-guard  : 

"When  Gen.  IMunford  reached  the  ford,  Gen.  Gregg 
and  Ins  men  were  just  entering  the  water  to  cross  to  the 
Virginia  side  of  the  Potomac.  Near  by  was  an  ambu 
lance  filled  with  gallant  Confederates  (manj'^  of  them  ter- 
ribly wounded  and  torn  in  the  battle  of  the  previous 
day),  entreating  their  comrades  to  carry  them  back  to 
old  Virginia.  Gen.  Munford  seeing  that  the  frightened 
driver  had  abandoned  them,  taking  his  harness  and  team 
with  him,  and  that  they  were  unable  to  ride  behind  his 
men,  called  Gen.  Gregg's  attention  to  the  fact;  where- 
upon the  generous  old  Roman,  uncovering  his  head,  said 
to  his  men  :  '  Bo3's,  see  yonder  3'our  comrades  who  have 
been  abaudoned  by  a  cowardly  driver  !  The}'  appeal  to 
us  for  help  !  You  who  have  escaped  unhurt  will  not  leave 
these  poor  fellows  to  their  fate  in  sight  of  old  Virginia.' 
In  an  instant  the}"^  were  transferring  their  arms  and  knap- 
sacks. One  generous  lad,  supposed  to  belong  to  the  14th 
South  Carolina  volunteers,  catching  hold  of  the  singletrees 
of  the  ambulance,  exclaimed,  '  We  will  carry  them  l)ack  to 
old  Virginia.'  In  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it,  thirty 
of  South  Carolina's  bravest  sons  were  up  to  their  waists 
in  the  water,  bearing  their  comrades  safely  over  the 
river,  ambulance  and  all — the  sad  and  gloomy  counte- 
nances of  the  unfortunates  seeming  almost  to  forget 
iheir  wounds  as  they  caught  up  the  strain,  '  Oh,  carry  me 
back  to  old  Virginia,  to  old  Virginia  shore.'  Those  who 
were  too  weak  to  sing  waved  their  hats  and  handker- 
chiefs, and  all  were  safely  placed  out  of  harm's  way. 
As  soon  as  this  had  been  accomplished,  Gen.  Gregg  re- 
placed his  hat  and  rode  away  to  see  that  they  were 
cared  for." 

The  victory  of  Fredericksburg  was  achieved  with  a 


WINTER  OF  1862-'63.  241 

small  loss  in  point  of  numbers  on  the  part  of  the  Con- 
federates ;  but  among  the  honored  dead  there  were  many 
who  yielded  up  their  lives  in  joyful  hope  of  a  better  life. 
Gen.  Lee  congratulated  the  army  in  the  following  gene- 
ral order,  which,  like  all  the  utterances  of  that  unequal- 
led soldier  and  humble  Christian,  breathes  the  spirit  of 
a  true  faith  in  God  : 

Headquakteks  Army  of  Northern  Va.,  ) 
December  31,  1862.      S 
General  Orders,  No.  138  : 

"1.  The  General  Commanding  takes  this  occasion  to 
express  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  army  his  high 
appreciation  of  the  fortitude,  valor,  and  devotion  dis- 
played by  them,  which,  under  the  blessing  of  Almighty 
God,  have  added  the  victory  of  Fredericksburg  to  the 
long  lists  of  triumphs. 

"An  arduous  march,  performed  with  celerity  under 
man}^  disadvantges,  exhibited  the  discipline  and  spirit 
of  the  troops,  and  their  eagerness  to  confront  the  foe. 

"  The  immense  army  of  the  enem}^  completed  its  pre- 
paration for  the  attack  without  interruption,  and  gave 
battle  in  its  own  time  and  on  the  ground  of  its  own  se- 
lection. 

"  It  was  encountered  by  less  than  twenty  thousand  of 
this  brave  army,  and  its  columns,  crushed  and  broken, 
hurled  back  at  every  point  with  such  fearful  slaughter, 
that  escape  from  entire  destruction  became  the  boast  of 
those  who  had  advanced  in  full  confidence  of  victory. 

"  That  this  great  result  was  achieved  with  a  loss  small 
in  pohit  of  numbers  only  augments  the  admiration  with 
which  the  Commanding  General  regards  the  prowess  of 
the  troops,  and  increases  his  gratitude  to  Him  who  hati: 
given  us  the  victory. 

"The  war  is  not  yet  ended.  The  enemy  is  still  nume- 
rous and  strong,  and  the  country  demands  of  the  army 
a  renewal  of  its  heroic  efforts  in  her  behalf.  Nobly  has 
11 


242  TIEE    GREAT   REVIVAL. 

it  responded  to  her  call  in  the  past,  and  she  will  never 
appeal  in  vain  to  its  courage  and  patriotism. 

'•  The  signal  manifestations  of  Divine  mercy  that 
have  distinguished  the  eventful  and  glorious  campaign 
of  the  year  just  closing,  give  assurance  of  hope  that  the 
guidance  of  the  same  Almighty  hand,  the  coming  year, 
will  be  no  less  fruitful  of  events  that  will  insure  the 
safety,  peace,  and  happiness  of  our  beloved  country, 
and  add  new  lustre  to  the  already  imperishable  name  of 
the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia. 

"R.  E.  Lee,  General." 

Of  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro,  which  closed  this 
eventful  year,  General  Bragg  wrote  on  the  night  of  De- 
cember 31 :  "The  bloodiest  day  of  the  war  has  closed." 
At  seven  in  the  morning  the  Confederates  attacked  the 
Federal  lines  and.  after  ten  hours'  hard  fighting,  took 
them  at  every  point  except  on  the  extreme  left,  where 
they  were  successfully  resisted.  The  vast  numbers  and 
resources  of  the  Federals  prevented  us  from  seizing  the 
fruits  of  this  victory,  and  General  Bragg  in  his  dispatch 
said  :  "Unable  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  his  entrench- 
ments, and  hearing  of  reinforcements  to  him,  I  withdrew 
from  his  front."  Such  was  often  the  sequel  to  a  hard- 
fought  battle  during  the  war.  Just  when  we  expected 
to  enjoy  all  the  fruits  of  a  victory,  they  were  snatched 
from  our  grasp. 

On  that  field  of  blood  death  showed  himself  in  most 
hideous  forms.  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Cross,  who  was  with 
General  Bragg's  army,  thus  describes  the  battle-field 
after  the  fight : 

"Ah!  how  many  expired  with  the  year.     Here  they 
lie,  friend  and  foe,  in  every  possible  position,  a  vast  pro- 
miscuous ruin, 
"'They  sleep  their  last  sleep,  they  have  fought  their  last  battle; 

No  sound  can  awake  them  to  glory  again.' 

"After  a  pretty  thorough  inspection  of  the  ground  in 


>\T[NTEK  OF  18C2-'63.  243 

the  rear  of  our  lines,  from  Stone  river  to  the  extreme 
left,  I  rode  to  tlic  front,  where  the  dead  lie  thick  among 
the  cedars,  in  proportion  of  five  Yankees  to  one  South- 
ron. Here  are  sights  to  sicken  the  bravest  hearts — 
sad  lessons  for  human  passion  and  oppression.  Here 
is  a  foot,  shot  off  at  the  ankle — a  fine  model  for  a 
sculptor.  Here  is  an  officer's  hand,  severed  from  the 
wrist,  the  glove  still  upon  It,  and  the  sword  in  its 
grasp.  Here  is  an  entire  brain,  perfectly  isolated, 
showing  no  sign  of  violence,  as  if  carefully  taken 
from  the  skull  that  enclosed  it  by  the  hands  of  a  skill- 
ful surgeon.  Here  is  a  corpse,  sitting  upon  the  ground, 
with  its  back  against  a  tree,  in  the  most  natural  po- 
sition of  life,  holding  before  its  face  the  photograph 
likeness  of  a  good-looking  old  lady,  probably  the  dead 
man's  mother.  Here  is  a  poor  fellow,  who  has  crawled 
iuto  the  corner  of  a  fence  to  read  his  sister's  letter,  and 
expired  in  the  act  of  its  perusal,  the  precious  document 
still  open  before  him  full  of  affectionate  counsel.  Here 
is  a  handsome  young  man,  with  a  placid  countenance, 
lying  upon  his  back,  his  Bible  upon  his  bosom,  and  his 
hands  folded  over  it,  as  if  he  had  gone  to  sleep  sajdng 
his  evening  praj'er.  Many  others  present  the  melan- 
choly contrast  of  scattered  cards,  obscene  pictures,  and 
filth}"-  ballad  books — "  miserable  comforters"  for  a  dying 
hour.  One  lies  upon  his  face  literally  biting  the  ground, 
his  rigid  fingers  fastened  firmly  into  the  gory  sod ;  and 
another,  with  upturned  face,  open  eyes,  knit  brow,  com- 
pressed lips,  and  clenched  fists,  displays  all  the  despera- 
tion of  vengeance  imprinted  on  his  cla}''.  Dissevered 
heads,  arms,  legs,  are  scattered  everywhere ;  and  the 
coagulated  pools  of  blood  gleam  ghastly  in  the  morning 
sun.     It  is  a  fearful  sight  for  Christian  eyes !" 

The  scenes  on  the  battle-fields  and  in  hospitals  are 
full  of  incidents  showing  the  power  of  Divine  grace  to 
cheer  and  support  the  soul  in  the  dark  hour  of  death. 
"Tell  my  mother,"  said  a  dying  soldier,  "that  I  am  ly- 


244  THK    GREAT    RE^^VAL. 

ing  without  hope  of  recovery.  I  have  stood  before  the 
enemy  fighting  in  a  great  and  glorious  cause,  and  have 
fallen.  My  hope  is  in  Christ,  for  whose  sake  I  hope  to 
be  saved.  Tell  her  that  she  and  my  brother  cannot  see 
me  again  on  earth,  but  they  can  meet  me  in  heaven." 
A  little  before  bed-time  of  his  last  night  he  called  to  his 
surgeon  (Mr.  Leverett),  and  said:  "Write  to  mother, 
and  tell  her  she  must  meet  me  in  heaven.  I  know  I  am 
going  there."  Thus  died  T.  S.  Chandler,  of  the  6tli 
South  Carolina  regiment. 

When  Captain  John  F.  Vinson,  of  Crawford  count3^ 
Ga.,  came  to  die,  he  exclaimed:  "All  is  ivell — my  way 
is  clear — not  a  cloud  intervenes."  As  Lieut.  Ezekiel 
Pickens  Miller,  of  the  17th  Mississippi  regiment,  fell 
mortally  wounded  on  the  field  of  Fredericksburg,  he  ex- 
claimed :  "Tell  my  father  and  mother  not  to  grieve  for 
me,  for  I  am  going  to  a  better  world  than  this."  In  this 
battle  the  gallent  General  Hanson,  of  Kentucky,  fell 
wh'le  leading  his  men  in  Breckenridge's  desperate  charge 
at  Stone  river.  Being  outnumbered  two  to  one,  and 
his  men  being  utterly  exhausted  by  six  days'  exposure 
to  cold  and  rain  and  four  days*  incessant  fighting,  with  a 
loss  of  one-fourth  of  their  number  in  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing.  Gen.  Bragg  wisely  determined  to  fall  back 
behind  Duck  river,  and  rest  his  wearied  army.  The 
headquarters  of  the  army  were  subsequently  established 
at  Tullahoma,  thirty-eight  miles  from  the  fatal  field  of 
Murfreesboro. 

It  was  now  that  the  signs  of  that  wonderful  revival  in 
the  array  of  the  West  began  to  appear.  "  I  shall  never 
forget,"  says  Rev.  W.  H.  Browning,  "the  look  of  astonish- 
ment in  the  Association  of  Chaplains  in  January,  1868, 
when  Bro.  Winchester,  a  chaplain  and  a  minister  in  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  announced  a  conver- 
sion in  his  command,  and  stated  that  he  believed  we 
were  on  the  eve  of  one  of  the  most  glorious  revivals 
ever  witnessed  on  the  American  continent !     His  coun- 


WINTER  OF  1862-63.  245 

teuance  glowed  with  an  unearthly  radiance,  and  while  he 
spoke  'our  hearts  burned  within  us.'  He  urged  us  to 
look  for  it — pray  for  it — preach  for  it.  A  revival  in  the 
army  !  The  thing  was  incredible.  And  yet,  while  we 
listened  to  this  man  of  faith,  we  could  almost  hear  the 
shouts  of  redeemed  souls  that  were  being  born  to  God. 
We  could  but  catch  the  zeal  of  this  good  man,  and  went 
away  resolved  to  work  for  a  revival." 

This  pious  man  was  not  permitted  to  participate  in  the 
revival  which  he  so  feelingly  predicted.  He  was  soon 
called  to  the  spirit  world,  and  from  his  home  among  the 
blessed  looked  down  upon  the  glorious  scenes  of  salva- 
tion among  the  soldiers  whom  he  loved  so  ardently,  and 
for  whom  he  pra3'ed  with  a  faith  strong  and  unfaltering. 

A  General  Association  of  Chaplains  and  Missionaries 
had  been  formed  in  this  array  in  August  of  this  year 
(1863),  but  the  subsequent  movements  interfered  greatlj 
with  its  complete  organization,  and  it  was  not  until  No- 
vember following  that  it  was  properly  reorganized  and 
made  really  efficient.  Rev.  Dr.  McDonald,  President  of 
Lebanon  University,  was  the  President,  and  Rev,  Wei- 
born  IMooney,  of  the  Tennessee  Conference,  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  South,  was  the  Secretary.  The  pro- 
ceedings of  this  Association  Mr.  Browning  supposes 
were  lost  in  the  subsequent  reverses  of  the  army,  and 
hence  we  are  cut  off  from  most  reliable  information  c®n- 
cerning  the  progress  of  the  revival. 

The  seeds  of  truth  were  sown  by  such  faithful  laborers 
as  Rev.  M.  B.  DeWitt,  chaplain  of  the  8th  Tennessee, 
Rev.  Mr.  Weaver,  of  the  28th  Tennessee,  Rev.  Tilmon 
Page,  of  tlie  o2d  Tennessee,  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Browning, 
chaplain  of  Gen.  Marcus  Wright's  brigade.  In  other 
portions  of  the  array,  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  S.  M. 
Cherry,  Rev.  Messrs.  Petway,  Taylor,  Henderson,  and 
scores  of  other  devoted  and  self-sacriGcing  ministers, 
the  revival  influence  becarae  deep  and  powerful. 

Rev.  L.  R.  Redding.  Methodist,  of  the  Georgia  Con- 


2AG  THE   GREAT   RE^aVAL. 

ference,  M.  E.  Church,  South,  who  labored  as  a  mission- 
ary in  this  arin}^  has  furnished  us  an  account  of  tlie 
work  in  his  own  and  other  corps  during  the  winter  and 
spring  of  1863-64.  Beginning  his  work  in  Gen.  Gist's 
brigade,  and  aided  b}'  Rev.  F.  Auld,  Rev.  A.  J.  P.  De 
Pass,  and  other  zealous  chaplains,  he  soon  witnessed 
scenes  that  filled  him  with  the  highest  joy.  The  con- 
gregations increased  daily,  find  soon  a  permanent  place 
of  worship  was  established  in  the  rear  of  the  brigade. 
The  soldiers,  eager  to  hear  the  Word  of  Life,  soon  fell 
to  work  and  built  a  rude  but  commodious  chapel,  and 
furnished  it  with  pulpit,  seats,  and  lights.  It  was  dedi- 
cated in  the  presence  of  the  General  and  liis  staft'  by 
Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  McFerrin,  who,  with  his  well-known  zeal, 
had  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  an  army  missionary. 
An  immense  congregation  attended,  and  the  "Word  ran 
and  was  glorified."  From  this  time  until  the  army 
marched  awa}'  in  the  spring  the  revival  progressed  with 
increasing  power.  A  Christian  Association  was  formed, 
which  met  daily  at  half-past  eight  in  the  morning,  for  the 
purpose  of  uniting  the  members  of  the  various  Churches, 
as  well  as  the  new  converts,  in  the  work  of  saving  souls, 
of  gathering  the  results  of  the  night  meetings,  and  of 
hearing  the  recitals  of  religious  experience.  These 
meetings  were  marked  by  great  fervor  and  power.  The 
young  believers  were  organized  into  private  prayer- 
meetings,  which  met  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
"Sometimes,"  says  Mr.  Redding,  "I  would  quietly  un- 
peg the  door  and  walk  in  while  the  young  men  were  en- 
gaged in  their  delightful  meetings,  and  would  find  the 
young  convert  of  the  previous  night  leading  in  prayer, 
and  earnestly  invoking  God's  blessing  upon  his  impeni- 
tent comrades."  In  the  evening,  at  the  close  of  dress- 
parade,  the  drums  would  beat  the  Church  call  on  Chapel 
Hill.  It  was  a  glorious  sight,  just  as  the  setting  sun 
bathed  the  mountain  tops  in  his  ruddy  light,  to  see  those 
toil-worn  veterans  gathering  in  companies  and  marching 


\nNTER  OF  1862-'63.  247 

to  the  house  of  the  Lord.  From  all  directions,  down 
from  the  hills,  out  of  the  woods,  across  the  valleys,  they 
came,  while  the  gallant  Colonel  McCnllough,  of  the  16th 
South  Carolina,  himself  a  godly  man,  leads  his  men  to 
the  place  of  worship.  Then  the  24th  South  Carolina 
falls  into  line,  led  by  their  chaplain,  Mr.  Auld,  and  their 
brave  Colonel  Capers,  son  of  the  deceased  Bishop  Ca- 
pers, of  the  Southern  Methodist  Church.  The  benches 
antl  the  pulpit  have  to  be  removed  from  the  house,  and 
a  dense  multitude  of  hearers  crown  the  chapel  hill.  A 
clear,  strong  voice  starts  a  familiar  old  hymn,  soon  thou- 
sands of  voices  chime  in,  and  the  evening  air  is  bur- 
dened with  a  great  song  of  praise.  The  preacher  now 
enters  the  stand,  a  thousand  voices  are  hushed,  a  thou- 
sand hearts  are  stilled,  to  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord. 
"Perhaps  the  speaker  is  Rev.  William  Burr,  of  Tennes- 
see. As  he  rises  with  his  theme,  his  silver3%  trumpet- 
like voice,  clear  as  a  bugle  note,  rings  far  out  over  the 
mass  of  men,  and  hundreds  sob  with  emotion  as  he  rea- 
sons with  them  of  righteousness,  of  temperance,  and  a 
judgment  to  come.  At  the  close  of  the  sermon,  hun- 
dreds bow  in  penitence  and  pra3'er,  many  are  converted, 
tattoo  beats — the  men  disperse  to  their  cabins,  not  to 
sleep,  but  to  pray  and  sing  with  their  sorrowing  com- 
rades ;  and  far  into  the  night  the  camps  are  vocal  with 
the  songs  of  Zion  and  the  rejoicings  of  new-born  souls." 
In  this  revival,  described  by  an  eye-witness,  one  hun- 
dred and  forty  were  converted  in  two  weeks,  among 
them  Colonel  Dunlap,  of  the  46th  Georgia,  who  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Among  the  private  sol- 
diers that  contributed  to  the  success  of  this  work,  we 
are  glad  to  place  on  record  the  name  of  W.  J.  Brown, 
of  Company  I,  46th  Georgia.  His  influence  with  his 
regiment  was  very  great,  and  he  threw  it  all  in  favor  of 
religion. 

But  soon  came  the  order  to  march ;  the  chapel  and 
the  snug  cabins  were  exchanjied  for  the  drenched  and 


248  THE    GUEAT    REVIVAL. 

dreary  bivouac,  and  the  sound  of  the  gospel  of  peace 
for  the  notes  of  whistling  minnies  and  bursting  shells. 
In  the  battle,  and  in  the  hospital,  the  genuineness  of 
those  army  conversions  was  full}'^  tested.  In  the  terri- 
ble campaign  that  followed,  whenever  the  smoke  of  bat- 
tle cleared  away,  and  the  weary  men  had  a  little  rest, 
they  gathered  their  shattered  but  undaunted  cohorts, 
and,  with  renewed  zeal,  and  with  love  tested  in  tlie  fire 
of  war,  repledged  their  faith  to  each  other  and  charged 
again  and  again  the  strongholds  of  Satan.  Lying  be- 
hind the  strong  barrier  of  the  Chattahoochee  rivftr  for  a 
few  days,  these  Christian  soldiers  built  a  brush  arbor, 
and  beneath  it  many  souls  were  born  of  God.  Dying, 
those  noble  men  of  the  South  gave  testimony  to  the 
power  of  divine  grace.  ''Can  I  do  anj'thing  for  you?" 
said  the  missionary,  kneeling  by  the  side  of  a  private 
shot  through  the  neck.  "  Yes,  write  to  my  poor  wife." 
"What  shall  I  write?"  "  Sa}'^  to  my  dear  wife,  it's  all 
right."  This  was  written.  "What  else  shall  I  write?" 
"Nothing  else,  all's  right" — and  thus  he  died.  He  was 
a  convert  of  the  camp. 

"  Passing  through  a  large  stable  where  the  wounded 
lay,"  says  Mr.  Redding,  "  I  noticed  a  man  whose  head 
was  frosted  with  age.  After  giving  him  wine  and  food, 
I  said,  '  My  friend,  you  are  an  old  man.  Do  you  enjoy 
the  comforts  of  religion?'  'Oh,  yes,'  he  exclaimed,  'I 
have  been  a  member  of  the  Church  for  twent3'-five  years. 
Often  in  our  little  church  at  home  our  minister  told  us 
that  religion  was  good  under  all  circumstances,  and  now 
I  have  found  it  true ;  for  even  here  in  this  old  stable, 
with  my  leg  amputated,  and  surrounded  by  the  dead  and 
dying,  I  am  just  as  happy  as  I  can  be.  It  is  good  even 
here.  1  want  you  to  tell  the  people  so  when  you  preach 
to  them.'     I  left  him  rejoining." 

Among  the  pious  officers  who  worked  faithfully  in  this 
revival,  we  have  already  mentioned  Colonel  Capers  and 
Colonel  Dunlap.     We  believe  the  former,  since  the  war. 


WINTER  OF  1862-'63.  249 

has  entered  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and,  if  we 
are  not  misinformed,  is  now  in  the  ministry'.  Colonel 
Dnnlap,  converted  in  camp,  became  an  earnest  Chris- 
tian, and  labored  with  zeal  and  success  to  bring  his  men 
to  Christ.  He  was  five  times  wounded,  but  survived 
the  war,   and    is  now  an  honored    citizen  of   Georgia. 

General  C.  A.  Evans  was  a  Methodist,  and  a  class- 
leader  before  the  war.  He  entered  as  a  private  in  the 
31st  Georgia  volunteers,  was  elected  Major  at  its  organi- 
zation, and  Colonel  at  its  reorganization  six  months 
afterward.  He  greatly  distinguished  himself  at  the  bat- 
tles around  Richmond,  at  Manassas,  and  at  Fredericks- 
burg. He  was  promoted  and  put  in  command  of  Gen. 
Gordon's  celebrated  brigade.  The  last  year  of  the  war 
he  commanded  Gordon's  old  division.  He  was  an  ear- 
nest, working  Christian,  and  in  the  midst  of  war  the  call 
came  to  him  to  preach  the  gospel,  but  he  wore  his  sword 
until  the  fatal  day  of  Appomattox,  when,  with  his  noble 
comrades,  he  laid  down  the  weapons  of  war,  returned 
to  his  home,  and  was  soon  afterward  licensed  to  preach 
and  received  into  the  Georgia  Conference,  M.  E.  Church, 
South.  It  is  a  singular  incident  that  his  first  Circuit 
was  called  Manassas,  and  that  his  junior  preacher  was 
one  of  his  old  army  couriers.  He  is  still  activel^^  en- 
gaged in  the  ministerial  work. 

The  revival  was  hardly  less  powerful  in  those  regi- 
ments and  brigades  which  were  favored  with  the  regular 
services  of  chaplains  than  in  those  that  had  none.  The 
2d  Arkansas,  of  Liddell's  brigade,  Cleburn's  division, 
had  no  chaplain  at  the  time  of  which  we  write,  but  they 
were  led  by  pious  officers  who  strove  to  stem  the  tide  of 
irreligion,  "  Lieutenant-Colonel  Harvey,  Captain  H.  D. 
Gregg,  Lieutenant  Wilfong,  and  others,  being  profoundly 
impressed  with  the  great  need  of  religious  services, 
formed  themselves  into  a  band  of  Christian  soldiers  and 
began  a  moral  warfare  against  the  powers  of  darkness. 
They  fought  gallantly  and  well.     They  became  really 


250  THE    GREAT   REVIVAL. 

zealous  and  watchful  pastors  over  their  men.  Mingling 
with  the  group  around  the  crackling  camp-fires,  they  sea- 
soned conversation  with  religion.  Profanity  and  vul- 
garity were  rebuked,  and  cowered  before  the  mild,  living 
words  of  truth  ;  manj'^  outbreaking  sinners  pledged  them- 
selves to  pure  lives,  and  by  hundreds  joined  the  band. 
They  promised  solemnly  not  to  swear,  nor  gamble,  nor 
to  break  the  Sabbath,  to  use  no  spirituous  liquors  as  a 
beverage,  to  indulge  in  no  vicious  habits,  to  cease  to  do 
evil  and  learn  to  do  well.  They  held  regular  prayer  ■ 
meetings,  searched  the  Scriptures,  exhorted  one  another 
daily,  met  and  reported  progress,  and  with  fresh  zeal 
returned  again  to  their  good  work.  When  the  harvest 
was  so  ripe  for  the  sickle,  who  can  wonder  that  when  the 
Word  was  preached  with  power  and  unction  among  such 
men,  thousands  were  gathered  into  the  garner  of  the 
Lord  ?"  Many  of  these  brave  soldiers  afterward  fell 
in  battle ;  "  but  who  can  doubt,"  asks  Rev.  A.  L.  Davis, 
from  whom  we  quote,  "  that  their  works  shall  live  after 
them  ?"  They  sleep,  indeed,  in  unknown  graves  along 
the  line  of  that  sad  retreat  from  Dalton  to  Atlanta,  but 
the}'^  live  forever  honored  in  the  annals  of  their  country, 
and  forever  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  their  countrymen. 


SPRING  OF  1863.  251 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

SPRING    OF     1863. 

After  the  terrible  repulse  at  Fredericksburg,  the 
Federal  array  lay  along  the  north  side  of  the  Rappahan- 
nock, engaged  as  usual,  after  the  failure  of  an  "  on  to 
Richmond,"  in  refilling  its  thinned  ranks  and  mapping 
out  a  new  route  to  the  coveted  city. 

General  Burnside,  who  had  not  conciliated  his  govern- 
ment b}^  the  rose-colored  dispatch  given  in  the  last  chap- 
ter, was  set  aside,  and  General  Joseph  Hooker  placed 
in  command  of  the  Northern  army.  Our  forces  occupied 
the  town  of  Fredericksburg,  and  extended  their  lines 
for  some  miles  above  and  below.  The  fighting  in  the 
earl}'  part  of  the  season  was  confined  to  cavalry  skir- 
mishes near  the  different  fords  of  the  river.  The  main 
body  of  the  Confederate  army  remained  in  winter  quar- 
ters, and  here  began  one  of  the  most  powerful  revivals 
witnessed  during  the  war.  Fredericksburg  was  the  cen- 
tre of  the  work,  and  the  minister  who  contributed  more 
to  its  success  in  the  town  than  any  other  was  the  Rev. 
William  Benton  Owen,  connected  with  General  Barks- 
dale's  Mississippi  brigade.  Mr.  Owen  was  earnest  in 
calling  to  his  help  the  ministers  of  all  the  different 
Churches,  and,  among  others,  he  was  favored  at  this  time 
with  the  aid  of  Rev.  Dr.  J.  C.  Stiles,  an  eminent  and 
eloquent  minister  of  the  Presbj^terian  Church.  In  the 
latter  part  of  February  he  reached  the  town  and  entered 
into  the  work  with  his  well-known  ardor.     He  says  : 

"After  my  arrival  we  held  three  meetings  a  day — a 
morning  and  afternoon  prayer  meeting,  and  a  preaching 
service  at  night.  We  could  scarcely  ask  of  delightful 
religious  interest  more  than  we  received.    Our  sanctuary 


2;')2  THE    GllEAT    REVIVAL. 

has  been  crowded — lower  floor  and  gallery.  Loud,  ani- 
mated singing  alwa3^s  hailed  our  approach  to  the  house 
of  God  ;  and  a  closely  packed  audience  of  men,  amongst 
whom  3'ou  might  have  searched  in  vain  for  one  white 
hair,  were  leaning  upon  the  voice  of  the  preacher,  as  if 
God  himself  had  called  them  together  to  hear  of  life 
and  death  eternal.  At  every  call  for  the  anxious,  the 
the  entire  altar,  tlie  front  six  seats  of  the  five  blocks  of 
pews  surrounding  the  pulpit,  and  all  the  spaces  there- 
abouts ever  so  closely  packed,  could  scarcely  accomsao- 
date  the  supplicants ;  while  dail}''  public  conversions 
gave  peculiar  interest  to  the  sanctuary  services.  Of  this 
class  we  have  numbered  during  the  week  say  some  forty 
or  fifty  souls.  Officers  are  beginning  to  bow  for  prayer, 
and  our  house  to  be  too  strait  for  worshippers.  The 
audience,  the  interest,  the  converted,  the  fidelity  of  the 
Church,  and  the  expectations  of  the  ministry,  are  all 
steadily  and  most  hopefully  increasing." 

But  not  only  among  the  soldiers  in  the  town  did  the  gra- 
cious work  go  forward.  In  the  camp,  on  the  open  fields, 
was  the  revival  deep  and  powerful.  In  Gen.  Anderson's 
brigade,  of  Hood's  division,  a  Christian  Association  was 
formed,  with  J.  C.  Burnham,  of  Heard  county,  Ga.,  as 
President,  J.  F.  Chambliss,  of  Talbot  county,  Ga.,  as 
Vice-President,  and  A.  W.  Watkins,  of  Baltimore,  Md., 
as  Secretary. 

In  their  pamphlet,  giving  the  reasons  for  this  organi- 
zation, they  say,  that  for  many  months  prayer-meetings 
largely  attended  had  been  held  in  the  brigade,  in  which 
Christians  had  been  built  up  in  spirit,  confirmed  in  faith, 
and  many  sinners  converted  to  Christ.  Feeling  a  neces- 
sity for  an  institution  similar  to  the  Churches  at  home, 
they  "  determined  to  form  an  Association  which  would 
supply  this  want  and  be  acceptable  to  all  orthodox  de- 
nominations." They  sent  forth  to  their  brethren  at 
home  this  trulj'^  Christian  message  : 

"  We,  soldiers,  surrounded  as  we  are  by  many  tempta- 


SPRING  OF  1863.  253 

tions,  and  subjected  daily  to  manifold  trials,  desire  to 
publish  to  the  Christian  world  the  existence,  the  Consti- 
tution, and  By-Laws,  of  our  Christian-  Association,  that 
the  Church  may  be  encouraged  by  the  knowledge  of  the 
fact  that  Christian  spirit  and  Christian  efforts  are  not 
entirely  unknown  in  the  armies  of  our  country,  and  that 
Christ  has  kept  a  few,  as  we  trust,  faithful  followers, 
even  where  wickedness  abounds.  Nay !  brethren,  God 
has  done  much  more  than  this  for  us,  unworthy  as  we 
are  ;  he  has  caused  our  hearts  to  rejoice  in  witnessing 
the  turning  of  sinners  from  their  sins.  The  angels  have 
rejoiced  more  than  once  when  they  have  looked  down 
into  our  camps  and  seen  new-born  babes  in  Christ  re- 
joicing in  the  love  of  a  reconciled  Father. 

"  Our  reason  for  bringing  our  Association  to  public  no- 
tice is  because  we  believe  that  a  knowledge  of  what  we 
are  trying  to  do  for  God  will  rejoice  the  souls  of  Christ's 
followers  ever\where,  and  be  encouragement  to  Chris- 
tians who  ma\'  be  situated  as  we  are." 

The  Creed  subscribed  by  these  noble  men  was  simple, 
but  apostolic  : 

"  I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  Maker  of 
heaven  and  earth ;  and  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son, 
our  Lord,  who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born 
of  the  Virgin  Mary,  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  was 
crucified,  dead  and  buried  ;  the  third  day  he  arose  again 
from  tlie  dead  ;  he  ascended  into  heaven  and  sitteth  on 
the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty  ;  from  thence 
he  shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead.  I  be- 
lieve in  the  Holy  Ghost ;  the  Church  of  Christ ;  the  com- 
munion of  saints  ;  the  forgiveness  of  sins  ;  the  resurrec- 
tion of  the  body  ;  and  the  life  everlasting.     Amen." 

Their  Discipline  was  such  as  fitted  earnest,  straight- 
forward soldiers  of  the  Cross  : 

"All  members  of  the  Association  are  required  to  con- 
form themselves  to  the  rules  of  faith  and  Christian  con- 
duct, as  laid  down  in  the  revealed  word  of  God ;  and 

llA 


254  THE   GREAT   RE\aVAL. 

when  any  brother  is  charged  with  being  in  disorder,  his 
case  shall  be  referred  to  the  brethren  of  the  same  faith 
and  order  with  himself,  who  shall  determine  on  his  case 
and  report  at  the  next  meeting,  and  their  decision  in  the 
same  shall  be  final  and  conclusive  :  Provided  neverthe- 
less, That  the  cardinal  vices  set  forth  in  that  portion  of 
Scripture  known  as  The  Ten  Commandments,  together 
with  gambling  and  drunkennesss,  are  expressly  forbid- 
den, and  shall  be  cause  for  expulsion  of  a  member  by 
vote  of  the  body.  The  offender  to  be  tried  according  to 
the  rule  set  forth  in  the  18th  chapter  of  Matthew,  15th, 
16th,  and  17th  verses. 

"All  members  are  required  to  attend  meetings  of  the 
Association,  whether  called  or  regular ;  and  when  they 
fail  to  do  so  are  expected  to  state  the  reasons  at  the 
next  meeting. 

"  In  case  of  the  death  of  or  disaster  to  any  member  of 
this  Association,  the  same  shall  be  held  under  obliga- 
tions, by  the  love  which  its  members  owe  to  their  God 
and  brethren,  to  communicate  the  fact  to  his  relatives  or 
friends  at  home." 

This  was  the  whole  of  it,  and  under  it  was  fostreed  as 
noble  a  band  of  Cliristian  patriots  as  ever  fought  or  died 
for  liberty  and  home. 

Rev.  W.  C.  Dunlap,  chaplain  of  the  noble  8th  Georgia 
regiment,  wrote  in  reference  to  this  work  : 

"  God  has  wonderfully  blessed  us  of  late.  We  have 
had  going  on  in  our  midst  a  revival  of  religion,  with 
more  or  less  interest,  since  the  battles  in  front  of  Rich- 
mond. Recently,  however,  it  has  grown  greatly  in  in- 
terest;  and  before  breaking  up  camps  near  Fredericks- 
burg, the  Lord  was  doing  a  mighty  work  in  our  midst. 
I  have  held  prayer-meetings  in  my  own  regiment  until 
ten  o'clock  many  a  night,  and,  after  closing,  the  breth- 
ren would  all  retire  to  the  woods,  frequently  accompa- 
nied by  half-dozen  mourners,  and  there,  with  no  other 
covering  save  the  open  canopy  of  heaven,  pour  out  their 


SPRING    OK    1863.  20i> 

souls  in  humble  supplication  at  a  throne  of  grace,  often 
remaining:  until  after  midnight ;  and,  what  is  remarka- 
ble, I  never  have  known  the  meeting  to  close  witliout 
the  witnessing  intiuences  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

"  I  have  often  thought,  could  our  people  at  liome  see 
•  us  on  such  occasions,  the  stern  warrior  melted  down  into 
the  tameness  of  a  child  by  the  sweet  influences  of  the 
blessed  Master,  they  would  cheer  up  and  take  courage ; 
for  tlie  prayers  of  the  people  of  God  shall  never  go  un- 
answered, but  shall  be  like  bread  cast  upon  the  waters." 

Rev.  Samuel  H.  Smith,  chaplain  of  the  60th  Georgia 
regiment,  of  Lawton's  brigade,  camped  near  Port  Royal, 
Va.,  referring  to  the  growing  revival  in  that  portion  of 
the  army,  gives  a  description  of  the  services  of  a  delight- 
ful Sabbath  : 

"At  11  o'clock  A.  M.,  I  preached  to  a  large  audience 
from  Malachi  iii:  8,  'Will  a  man  rob  God?'  At  half- 
past  two  o'clock  P.  M.,  Col.  Wm.  C.  Stiles,  of  the  60th 
Georgia,  read  to  a  very  large  and  interested  congrega- 
tion Bishop  Elliott's  sermon,  delivered  in  Christ  church. 
Savannah,  Ga.,  on  the  public  thanksgiving  day,  Septem- 
ber 18,  1882.  The  sermon  produced  a  fine  state  of  feel- 
ing throughout  the  audience.  At  candle-lighting  we  met 
for  prayer.  Rev.  Mr.  Chandler,  of  the  88th  Georgia,  de- 
livered an  exhortation,  at  the  close  of  which  six  peni- 
tents knelt  for  prayer." 

Thus  was  the  Sabbath  spent  in  camp  by  thousands  of 
Southern  soldiers. 

In  the  great  hospitals,  where  thousands  of  sick  and 
wounded  la}',  the  work  was  as  great  as  in  the  camps. 
At  Chimborazo,  Richmond,  there  were  at  this  time  from 
three  to  five  thousaiid  sick  men,  and  the  religious  influ- 
ence pervaded  all  the  wards.  No  sight  could  be  more 
touching  than  to  stand  near  the  chapel  and  see  the 
wounded  and  the  pale  convalescents  hobbling  and  creep- 
ing to  the  place  of  worship  at  the  sound  of  the  bell. 
Fifty  or  more  kneeling  for  prayer  at  the  close  of  a  ser- 


256  THE    GIIKAT    REVIVAL. 

mon  or  exhortation  was  no  uncommon  sight.     At  Camp 

AVinder,  another  large  hospital  near  the  city,  there  was 
a  happy  and  saving  religious  influence,  though  the  revi- 
val was  not  so  general  as  at  Chimborazo.  It  was  the 
privilege  of  the  writer  to  conduct  a  sacramental  meeting 
in  this  hospital,  at  which  devout  soldiers,  forgetful  of 
all  differences  in  creeds,  knelt  side  by  side  in  commemo- 
rating the  Saviour's  death.  It  was  an  inspiring  and 
melting  scene.  The  simple  and  earnest  words  of  the 
sick  soldiers  as  the}^  lay  on  their  hard,  narrow  beds,  or 
gathered  in  groups  at  the  sunn\^  corners  of  their  quar- 
ters, could  not  fail  to  touch  the  heart,  and  not. seldom 
the  hearer  and  narrator  mingled  their  tears  and  rejoiced 
together  in  Christ. 

Said  a  poor  fellow,  who  was  suffering  greatly  from  two 
painful  wounds,  "When  I  was  at  home,  I  was  wild  and 
wicked,  but  since  I  have  been  in  the  army,  I  have  tried 
to  change  my  life,  and  since  I  have  been  wounded  I  have 
l)een  able  to  trust  my  soul  in  the  hands  of  God,  and  I 
feel  that  if  he  should  call  me  to  die,  all  will  be  well." 
He  spoke  with  deep  feeling,  and  the  big  tears  filled  his 
eyes  and  rolled  down  his  pale  face.  Another  from 
Georgia,  who  was  dying  of  his  wounds  far  away  from 
home  and  friends,  gave  a  like  testimony,  and,  with  tears 
of  joy,  praised  God  in  full  hope  of  heaven.  Whether 
d^nng  in  hospital  or  on  the  battle-field,  the  testimony  of 
the  Christian  soldier  was  the  same.  When  Lieutenant 
E.  P.  Miller,  of  company  K,  17th  Mississippi  regiment, 
lay  dying  on  the  field  of  Fredericksburg,  the  message  he 
sent  home  was,  "  Tell  ray  father  and  mother  not  to  grieve 
for  me,  for  I  am  going  to  a  better  world  than  this." 
When  Capt.  John  F.  Vinson,  of  Georgia,  fell  in  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country,  his  last  words  were,  "  All  is  well — 
my  way  is  clear — not  a  cloud  intervenes."  Francis  M. 
•Bobo,  of  Spartanburg,  S.  C,  exclaimed  when  dying,  "I 
would  not  take  ten  thousand  worlds  for  my  prospect  of 
heaven."     "If  I  die  in  the  hospital  or  fall  in  battle," 


SPRING  OF  1863.  257 

said  a  young  Georgia  soldier,  "  weep  not  for  me — all  will 
be  well."  These  are  a  few  testimonies  out  of  hundreds 
that  might  be  recorded.  They  show  the  deep  and  joy- 
ous piety  of  tliousands  of  the  Southern  soldiery. 

The  revival  at  Fredericksburg,  already  noticed,  con- 
tinued through  the  greater  part  of  the  spring  with  the 
greatest  power.  The  labors  of  Dr.  Stiles  were  blessed 
and  honored  in  the  salvation  of  many  souls ;  but  he  was 
compelled  to  leave  for  other  scenes  of  labor.  Rev.  Jas. 
D.  Coulling  and  other  ministers  went  to  the  help  of  Mr. 
Owen,  and,  by  their  earnest  and  pointed  preaching, 
greatly  promoted  the  work.  An  eye-witness,  writing  at 
this  time  from  the  scene,  says  : 

"Last  evening  there  were  fully  one  hundred  penitents 
at  the  altar.  So  great  is  the  work,  and  so  interested  are 
the  soldiers,  that  the  jM.  PI  church,  South,  has  been 
found  inadequate  for  the  accommodation  of  the  congre- 
gations, and  the  P^piscopal  church  having  been  kindly 
tendered  by  its  pastor.  Rev.  Mr.  Randolph,  who  is  now 
here,  the  services  have  been  removed  to  that  edifice, 
where  devotions  are  lield  as  often  as  three  times  a  day. 
This  work  is  widening  and  deepening,  and,  ere  it  closes, 
it  may  permeate  the  wliole  army  of  Northern  Virginia, 
and  bring  forth  fruits  in  the  building  up  and  strengthen- 
ing, in  a  pure  iaith  and  a  true  Christianity,  the  best 
armj'  the  world  ever  saw." 

In  the  churches,  scarred  and  torn  b}'^  the  balls  and 
shells  from  Federal  batteries,  the  meetings  were  held 
night  after  night  for  many  weeks,  and  the  scenes  were 
such  as  thrill  the  angelic  hosts  in  heaven.  In  the  space 
of  six  weeks  one  hundred  and  sixty  professed  religion 
in  Barksdale's  brigade,  while  scores  of  others  were  ear- 
nestl}^  seeking  salvation.  Rev.  W.  C.  Dunlap,  in  thank- 
ing the  editor  of  the  Southern  Christian  Advocate  for 
reading  matter  furnished  the  soldiers,  says  of  the  gene- 
ral fast  day : 

"Last  Friday  will  never  be  forgotten  by  this  brigade 


258  TIIE   GREAT    REVIVAL. 

(Anderson's).  The  day  before  had  been  cold  and  rain- 
ing, and,  lest  the  next  day  should  be  as  bad,  many 
prayers  were  offered  for  a  good  day,  which  were  an- 
swered, for  we  had  one  of  remarkable  brightness  and 
beaut5^  The  chaplains  of  our  brigade  had  invited  BrQ. 
Crumley — a  man  universally  beloved — to  preach  for  us. 
Generals  Hood  and  Anderson,  with  their  staffs,  were 
present.  The  music  was  helped  out  by  the  band,  and 
Bro.  C.  preached  a  most  appropriate  sermon  to  a  large 
and  very  attentive  congregation.  After  the  service, 
many  retired  to  the  woods  and  held  prayer-meetings. 
There  were  like  services  on  this  day  elsewhere.  Rev. 
W.  II.  Simmons  preached  to  General  Toombs'  brigade, 
and  had  an  interesting  meeting.  Our  meetings  are  still 
carried  on  with  profit." 

This  day,  March  27th,  appointed  by  the  President, 
Jefferson  Davis,  for  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer,  was 
observed  in  the  armies  with  unusual  solemnity.  A 
member  of  Barksdale's  brigade  tells  how  the  day  was 
spent  by  the  devout  soldiers: 

"At  half-past  eight  A.  M.  my  mess,  with  those  ad- 
joining, met  in  my  room  for  praj'^ers,  most  of  them  be- 
ing 3'oung  converts ;  eight  or  nine  prayers  were  offered 
aloud,  the  young  men  officiating  by  turns,  though  with 
most  of  them  it  was  their  first  effort  in  public.  At  ten  I 
went  to  another  room  in  our  company  and  conducted 
a  similar  meeting.  It  filled  my  heart  with  joy  to  see 
many  of  my  comrades,  so  recently  from  the  paths  of  vice 
and  folly,  now  bending  their  knees  to  God,  asking  him 
to  fav^or  the  land  they  had  so  often  perilled  their  lives  to 
defend.  At  11  we  assembled  at  the  Episcopal  church. 
On  this  occasion,  perhaps,  1,500  were  in  attendance, 
mostly  soldiers.  Every  grade,  from  private  to  Major- 
General,  was  represented.  Rev.  W.  B.  Owen,  chaplain  of 
the  12th  Mississippi  regiment,  conducted  the  services ; 
his  theme  was  pra^^er ;  his  text,  '  Men  ought  always  to 
pray  and  not  to  faint.'     After  services  I  visited  some 


SPRING  OF  1863.  259 

sick  soldiers.  At  3  P.  M.  we  had  a  national  prayer- 
meeting,  conducted  by  Rev,  W.  H.  Carroll,  of  Selma, 
Ala.,  a  missionar}''  and  colporteur  in  the  arm3^  The 
service  over,  I  retired  to  ray  quarters  and  took  some  re- 
freshment for  my  bod}^ ;  my  soul  was  much  comforted. 
Calmly  I  looked  back  upon  the  labors  of  the  da}-,  and 
felt  that  I  was  seeing  a  day  that  had  done  more  for  my 
countrj-  than  any  other  that  had  ever  shone  upon  it." 

Could  a  fast  day  have  been  more  devoutly  and  profita- 
bly kept  in  the  quiet  days  of  peace  than  this  was  in  the 
midst  of  the  confusion  and  rush  of  war  ? 

There  was  hardly  a  regiment  of  the  army  where  the 
revival  influence  was  not  felt.  Rev.  W.  A.  Hemming- 
way  rejoiced  in  a  gracious  revival  in  the  21st  South 
Carolina  regiment,  which  lasted  for  months.  Rev.  L.  S. 
West,  of  the  13th  Mississip[)i,  conducted  a  meeting  for 
six  weeks,  in  which  many  were  happily  converted.  Rev. 
S.  H.  Smith,  of  the  60th  Georgia,  Lawton's  brigade,  col- 
lected from  the  soldiers  and  officers  $850  to  purchase 
Bibles,  Testaments,  and  H3'mn-Books,  and  saw  the  men 
daily  anxious  "about  the  salvation  of  their  souls.". 
Rev.  F.  Milton  Kennedy,  chaplain  of  the  28th  North 
Carolina  regiment,  of  Jackson's  corps,  found  "the  men 
generally  interested  in  their  spiritual  welfare."  A  Chap- 
lains' Association  was  formed,  and  weekl}'  meetings  held 
to  consult  upon  the  best  method  of  prosecuting  our 
work,  and  to  praj'  for  success.  The  chaplains  of  this 
corps  issued  an  earnest  appeal  for  more  laborers.  The 
fields  were  white  to  tlie  harvest,  but  the  laborers  were 
few.  wiiile  thousands  of  the  noblest  of  the  land,  having 
left  home  and  friends,  were  calling  loudh^  and  earnestly 
for  the  bread  of  life.  To  this  and  other  calls  the 
Churches  responded  b}^  sending  some  of  their  ablest 
ministers  into  the  arm3--work,  who,  by  their  earnest  la- 
bors, greetlj'  extended  the  area  of  the  revival. 

Captain  Richard  H.  Powell,  of  the  3d  Alabama  regi- 
ment, gives  an  interesting  account  of  the  work  :    "  For 


260  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

two  months  we  have  held  prayer-meetings  regularly, 
when  military  duties  have  not  prevented,  three  times  a 
week,  which  liave  constantly  grown  in  interest.  Last 
night  twenty-six  of  these  hardy  soldiers  presented  them- 
selves for  prayer.  The>'  give  the  most  earnest  attention 
to  all  religious  exercises,  and  gather  in  crowds  to  hear 
the  gospel.  They  are  reflecting  most  seriously  upon 
eternal  interests.  In  the  absence  of  a  chaplain,  we  are 
doing  what  we  can  in  the  interesting  work  of  instructing 
them  in  the  way  of  salvation,  and  pointing  them  to 
Jesus,  the  friend  of  sinners." 

Deploring  the  want  of  ministers  to  break  the  bread 
of  life  to  the  starving  thousands,  Captain  Powell  saj's  : 

"Surely  if  the  hundreds  of  ministers,  who  liave  com- 
paratively little  to  do  at  home,  knew  how  many  thou- 
sands in  the  army  languish  and  pine  for  the  bread  of 
life,  they  would  certainly  hasten  to  break  that  bread  to 
them,  that  they  might  not  perish.  I  have  never  seen 
such  a  field  for  doing  good,  and  extending  the  Redeem- 
er's kingdom  on  earth,  as  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia 
presents  this  day.  The  fields  are  already  white  unto 
the  harvest,  but  the  laborers,  who  must  gather  this  rich 
harvest  into  the  Master's  granary,  where,  oh,  where  are 
they  ?  It  is  astonishing  to  know  what  destitution  of 
chaplains  prevails.  In  this  corps — General  Jackson's — 
where  an  especial  effort  has  been  made  to  secure  their 
services,  not  one-half  of  the  regiments  are  supplied.  Can 
you  not,  my  dear  sir,  raise,  in  our  behalf,  the  Macedo- 
nian cry,  and  urge  zealous,  laborious  ministers  of  the 
gospel  to  come  and  help  us  ?  They  will  be  received  by 
the  army  ever^'where  with  open,  wide-stretched  arms. 
Cannot  Bishop  Pierce  devote  a  few  months  to  missionary 
labors  in  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia  this  summer  ? 
Liberal  souls  at  home  will,  doubtless,  gladly  devise  the 
ways  and  means,  while  thousands  of  hungry,  starving 
souls  here  will  eagerly  receive  the  message  of  life  from 
his  eloquent  lips.     Around  our  camp-fires  we  often  think 


SPRING  OF   1863.  261 

of  him,  and  anxiously  wish  we  could  have  the  benefit  of 
his  ministrations. 

"  Yesterday  I  attended  a  Conference  of  the  chaplains 
of  Jackson's  corps.  It  was  a  most  interesting  meeting, 
and  a  precious  season  of  grace.  Our  hearts  burned 
within  us  as  they  talked  of  God's  dealings  with  their 
various  regiments.  Thej^  represent  the  different  de- 
nominations, and  are  working  harmoniously  and  success- 
fully in  this  vast  field.  Occasional  services  will  be  held 
by  them  in  our  regiment,  and  we  hope  for  good  results." 

In  this  regiment,  a  Christian  Association  was  formed, 
with  Colonel  C.  C.  Battle,  President ;  Captain  R.  H. 
Powell,  Vice-President ;  Lieutenant  W.  H.  Gardner,  Sec- 
retary ;  Sergeant  E.  H.  Hart,  Assistant  Secretary ;  Lieu- 
tenant W.  T.  Bilbro,  Treasurer."  These  soldiers  and 
their  comrades  expressed  their  sense  of  the  need  of 
mutual  religious  help  in  noble  words  :  "  In  religion,  as 
in  everything  else  connected  with  the  affairs  of  this 
world,  there  is  strength  in  union.  *  *  *  Being  en- 
gaged in  a  constant  warfare  with  '  spiritual  wickedness 
in  high  places,'  beset  on  every  side,  and  most  sorely 
tempted,  man  needs  the  advice  and  encouragement  of  a 
brother  who,  similarly  tempted  and  tried,  b}^  a  word  fitly 
spoken,  or  a  consistent,  upright  walk  and  godly  conver- 
sation, may  strengthen  him  in  his  determination  to  serve 
God.  Oh !  how  greatly  we,  here  in  camp,  deprived  of 
the  sacred  influence  of  home  and  all  its  hallowing  asso- 
ciations, need  the  kindly  offices  of  Christian  brother- 
hood !  How  keenly  we  have  felt  the  lack  of  fellowship 
.ind  communion  of  hearts,  has  been  shown — to  our  con- 
fusion be  it  said — by  the  crooked  paths  we  have  made 
for  our  feet,  and  the  shame  and  reproach  we  have  too 
often  brought  upon  the  name  of  our  blessed  Jesus.  The 
leanness  of  our  souls,  the  lukewarmness  of  our  hearts, 
the  delinquencies  of  our  lives,  barren  of  good  works  to 
the  glory  of  God,  all  call  for  the  genial,  soul-cheering, 
heart-comforting  influence  of  the  communion  of  saints." 


262  THK    GUKAT    KKVIVAL. 

They  orathered  into  their  Association  the  members  of  all 
the  different  Churches,  and  mutually  bound  themselves 
to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  members,  to  exert  a  salu- 
tary and  wholesome  religious  influence  in  the  regiment, 
and  by  a  life  of  holy  living  to  constrain  others  to  glorify 
their  Father  in  heaven.  Can  we  wonder  that  men  of 
such  character  should  fight  well  and  die  well  ? 

The  revival  was  greatly  promoted  bj''  the  free  circula- 
tion of  religious  reading  among  the  soldiers.  Being 
almost  wholly  cut  off  by  the  strict  blockade  of  all  the 
Southern  ports  from  foreign  supplies  of  Bibles  and  Tes- 
taments, as  a  substitute  select  portions  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, chiefly  from  the  Psalms  and  the  New  Testament, 
were  printed  under  the  title  of  "  Bible  Readings,"  and 
sent  by  thousands  to  the  various  departments  of  the 
arm3\  Small  Ilymn-Books  were  also  printed  in  great 
quantities,  and  these,  with  tracts  and  religious  newspa- 
pers, made  up  the  religious  literature  of  the  camps.  The 
arrival  of  these  helps  to  the  revival  were  hailed  with 
delight  by  the  soldiers,  and  eager  crowds  would  sur- 
round the  fortunate  chaplaiu  who  had  received  a  suppl}^ 
and  happy  was  the  soldier  who  succeeded  in  securing 
even  the  smallest  tract.  Rev.  William  Hauser,  chaplain 
of  the  48th  Georgia,  and  a  diligent  colporteur,  saj's : 

"The  precious  leaves  from  the  tree  of  life  are  healing 
our  sin-diseased  soldiers.  Swearing,  and  all  other  crimes 
incident  to  an  arm}^  are  evidently  diminishing,  and  deep 
piety  is  on  the  increase.  Every  night  the  holy  songs  of 
Zion  go  up  on  this  balmy  spring  air,  a  sweet  incense,  I 
think,  to  the  throne  of  the  Eternal.  Prayer-meetings 
are  held  every  niglit  in  several  of  our  companies,  and  a 
great  desire  is  manifested  to  get  Ilymn-Books.  Bless 
the  Lord  !  He  is  working  among  us,  and  giving  us,  I 
do  not  doubt,  a  silent  yet  precious  revival  of  religion, 
the  effects  of  whicli  are  seen  more  and  more  plainl}' 
every  day.  It  would  do  you  some  good  to  see  how 
eagerly   these   gallant,   vvfcathcr-beaten   warriors   crowd 


SPKING  OK  1863.  268 

aronnd  me  to  get  tracts  every  time  I  have  a  new  supplj' ; 
but  the}^  want  and  much  need  something  fresh  every 
Sundaj'  to  engage  their  minds  and  keep  them  from  re- 
sorting to  ball-plays  and  cards.  Oar  Colonel  is  not  re- 
ligious, but  he  has  the  greatest  respect  for  Christianity, 
and  seems  to  take  great  delight  in  affording  me  every 
facility  for  my  work." 

The  religious  influence  now  pervading  the  army  was 
so  powerful  that  the  active  movements  of  the  spring 
campaign  could  not  divert  the  minds  of  the  soldiers  from 
the  great  question.  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  Early 
in  the  season  the  attitude  of  military  affairs  in  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina  was  this  :  Lieutenant-General  Long- 
street  was  in  command  of  Southern  Virginia,  including 
the  defences  of  Richmond,  Petersburg,  and  portions  of 
North  Carolina.  Major-General  Elzy  commanded  the 
Department  of  Richmond  ;  Major-General  French,  that 
of  Petersburg  and  lower  Virginia;  and  Major-General 
D.  H.  Hill,  that  of  North  Carolina.  About  the  first  of 
April  Major-General  Hood's  division  left  Petersburg  and 
marched  towards  Suffolk.  On  the  13th  General  Hood 
drew  up  in  line  of  battle  before  the  town,  while  his  skir- 
mishers boldly  drove  in  the  Federal  pickets.  Here  for 
a  week  or  more  he  reraaineri,  the  enemy  constantly  ex- 
pecting an  assault ;  but  besides  heavy  skirmishing,  mu- 
tual shelling,  and  two  or  three  gallant  fights  with  the 
gun-boats  in  Nansemond  river,  the  Confederates  made 
no  serious  demonstrations  against  the  place.  The  move- 
ment was  not  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  Suffolk,  but 
to  divert  the  attention  of  the  Federals  while  vast  stores 
of  provisions  were  being  removed  from  the  lower  coun- 
ties of  North  Carolina.  This  accomplished,  our  forces 
withdrew  for  more  decisive  operations  in  other  quarters. 

It  wauld  hardly  be  expected  that  on  the  lines  near 
Suffolk  much  could  be  done  in  promoting  the  revival. 
But  even  there  the  work  went  on.  Rev.  W.  A.  Simmons, 
of  Georgia,  one  of  the  most  devoted  and  efficient  chap- 


264  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

lains   in   the   army,   says   of  the   scenes   he   here   wit- 
nessed : 

"In  the  midst  of  all  these  changes  and  fighting,  we 
manage  to  iceep  up  our  religious  services.  We  preached 
on  Sabbath  at  the  time  our  batteries  were  assaulted, 
amid  the  most  hideous  thundering  of  artillery  and  in 
constant  hearing  of  the  picket-firing.  The  congregations 
were  large,  attentive,  and  serious.  One  young  man  came 
to  me,  late  at  night,  to  inquire  the  way  of  salvation. 
While  passing  the  road  I  heard  singing  and  prayer.  It 
was  a  company  of  Christians,  who  had  met  in  the  dark- 
ness to  hold  a  secret  meeting.  We  received  eight  mem- 
bers on  Sabbath  evening  into  our  Christian  Association. 
Thus  the  work  goes  on.  The  moral  tone  of  our  brigade 
is  rapidly  changing.  Card-playing  is  fast  plaj'ing  out, 
swearing  is  not  heard  so  much  as  formerl}-,  and  attend- 
ance on  preaching  increases.    May  God  bless  the  army." 

On  the  main  line  of  defence  on  the  Rappahannock, 
General  Lee  lay  with  the  main  body  of  his  army  watch- 
ing the  movements  of  the  vast  array  of  Federals  mar- 
shalled on  the  opposite  side  of  that  river,  under  com- 
mand of  General  Hooker.  The  Federals  had  found  the 
fords  of  Fredericksburg  too  bloody ;  they  were  now 
manceuvering  for  the  fatal  field  of  Chancellorsville. 


SPRING  OF  1863.  265 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

SPRING   OF    1863. 

Let  us  turn  again  to  the  armies  of  the  West  and 
Southwest. 

On  the  coast  the  Federal  fleets  closelj^  blockaded  all 
the  ports,  and  made  demonstrations  at  the  most  impor- 
tant points.  On  the  Mississippi,  Port  Hudson  and  Vicks- 
burg  were  fiercely  assailed,  with  serious  damage  to  the 
Federals  and  with  little  loss  to  the  Confederates.  In 
Tennessee,  Gen.  Van  Dorn  greatly  annoyed  the  North- 
ern Generals  by  his  swift  and  sudden  movements  against 
their  forces  in  the  neighborhood  of  Columbia,  Franklin, 
and  other  places.  The  main  army  lay  encamped  at  va- 
rious points  between  Chattanooga  and  Murfreesboro, 
ready  for  any  movement  that  might  be  necessary  to 
checkmate  tlie  Federals.  General  J.  E.  Johnston  as- 
sumed personal  command  of  all  our  forces  in  that  quar- 
ter, and  established  his  headquarters  at  Tullahoma. 

Rev.  S.  M.  Cherry,  one  of  the  most  devoted  chaplains 
in  the  army,  gives  an  account  of  the  revival  at  this  pe- 
riod in  McCown's  division,  to  which  he  was  attached  as 
chaplain  of  the  2d  Georgia  battalion.  For  ten  weeks 
tliey  encamped  on  the  same  spot  freed  from  all  the  toil 
of  war  except  guard  dut}'.  In  the  midst  of  their  ease, 
the  long  roll  late  one  afternoon  called  them  to  arms.  In 
a  few  moments  the  whole  command  was  pressing  to  the 
front.  "  While  riding  on,"  says  Mr.  Cherry,  "  I  met  with 
Rev.  Dr.  Bunting,  chaplain  of  the  Texas  Rangers,  who 
kindly  consented  to  preach  for  us.  We  found  General 
Ector's  Texas  brigade,  and  Colonel  Vance's  brigade,  of 
North  Carolina  and  Georgia  troops,  concentrated  in  a 
glade  of  rough  rocks  and  gloomy  cedars.  Both  com- 
12 


2GG  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

manders  are  official  Church-members,  and  never  object 
to  preaching  even  on  the  outpost.  Soon  one  thousand 
of  our  soldiers  were  grouped  about  the  spot  selected  for 
Sabbath  morning  service.  It  was  a  grand  sight  to  be- 
hold such  a  vast  assemblage,  seated  upon  the  rugged 
rocks,  to  listen  eagerly  to  the  words  of  life.  These  were 
the  heroic  soldiers,  once  led  in  the  far  West  bj?^  the  ill- 
fated  Ben.  McCullough,  in  the  battles  of  Missouri,  and 
they  have  since  distinguished  themselves  at  Farmington, 
near  Corinth,  Richmond,  Ky.,  and  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. 
Gallant  sons  of  the  Lone  Star  State  are  seated  with  the 
soldiers  from  the  Empire  and  Old  North  States,  who 
fought  bravely  beside  them  in  the  late  bloody  conflict 
of  Murfreesboro.  While  all  listened  so  attentively,  I 
could  but  contrast  the  scene  with  the  bloody  charge 
made  by  the  same  men  when  the  gallant  General  Rains 
fell  upon  a  spot  very  similar  to  our-  preaching  place. 
The  theme  of  the  preacher  was :  '  Whatsoever  a  man 
soweth,  that  shall  he  also  reap,'  and  strong  were  his  ar- 
guments and  earnest  his  appeals  to  impress  indelibly 
upon  their  hearts  the  truths  of  his  sermon." 

The  great  want  of  missionaries  and  chaplains  was 
earnestly  deplored  by  the  godly  officers  and  men,  and  a 
call  was  sent  from  nearly  every  division  in  the  army  for 
more  laborers.  At  the  regular  meeting  of  the  chaplains 
in  General  Polk's  corps  tlie  self-denying  ministers,  who 
shared  the  rough  life  of  the  camp  with  the  gallant  men, 
resolved  to  make  up  what  they  lacked  iu  numbers  by  in- 
creased devotion  to  their  work  and  a  deeper  earnestness 
of  soul  in  their  lives  and  labors.  "We  must  have  a  re- 
vival in  our  hearts  if  we  would  have  it  spread  among  the 
soldiers."  These  were  right  words,  and  the  revival  that 
followed  told  that  they  had  not  been  spoken  in  vain. 

In  response  to  the  "  Macedonian  cry"  from  the  army 
measures  were  adopted  by  the  Cliurches  for  supplying 
them  with  preachers.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Bishops 
and  Board  of  Missions  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South,  held 


SPRING  OF  1863.  "207 

in  April  at  Macon,  Ga.,  tlie  wants  of  the  army  were  se- 
riously considered.  After  the  presentation  and  advo- 
cacy of  the  plan  of  Army  Missions  by  Rev.  Dr.  A.  L. 
P.  Green,  Dr.  J.  B.  McFerrin,  and  Dr.  E.  W.  Sehon,  the 
meeting  appointed  a  committee  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  spiritual  wants  of  the  army  of  the  Confederate 
States,  and  to  report  a  plan  by  which  the  M.  E.  Church, 
South,  through  the  agency  of  its  Missionary  Board, 
might,  in  some  measure,  supply  those  wants.  The  Presi- 
dent, Bishop  Early,  appointed  the  following  ministers  as 
the  committee :  Bishop  Pierce,  Drs.  McFerrin,  Sum- 
mers, Sehon,  Green,  L.  M.  Lee,  Myers,  and  Revs.  R.  J. 
Harp  and  W.  W,  Bennett.  In  response  to  the  report  of 
the  committee  the  Mission  Board  adopted  the  following 
plan  : 

"Whereas  information  has  reached  this  Board  with  re- 
gard to  the  destitution  of  ministerial  service  in  the  army 
of  the  Confederate  States,  and  believing  it  to  be  the 
duty  of  the  Church  to  supply  as  far  as  possible  this  defi- 
cienej- :  Therefore, 

"  1.  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Society  of  the  M,  E.  Church,  South,  establish  a 
branch  of  its  opex'ations  in  the  army  of  the  Confederate 
States  of  America,  to  be  called  the  Army  Mission. 

"  2.  Resolved,  That  the  Bishops  be  and  are  hereby  au- 
thorized and  requested  to  appoint  such  general  mission- 
aries to  the  various  departments  of  the  army  as  in  their 
judgment  the  demand  requires  and  the  funds  of  the  So- 
ciety may  justify  :  Provided  that  they  shall  not  appoint 
more  than  one  general  missionary  to  each  army  corps. 

"  3.  Resolved,  That  each  general  missionary  appointed 
by  the  Bishops  shall  travel  through  the  department  as- 
signed him,  preach  to  the  soldiers,  visit  those  of  them 
who  are  sick  and  wounded,  and  report  to  the  Bishop 
having  charge  of  his  department  the  condition  and 
wants  of  the  army,  and  suggest  proper  persons  to  be  en- 
gaged as  laborers  in  the  field. 


268  THE    GREAT   REVR'AL. 

"  4.  Resolved,  That  the  general  missionaries  shall  co- 
operate with  the  Confederate  States  Bible  Societ\%  the 
various  organizations  in  the  several  Annual  Conferences, 
and  the  editors  and  publishers  of  religious  journals  in 
the  Confederate  States,  in  the  circulation  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  and  a  general  religious  literature  through  the 
army." 

The  other  denominations  adopted  similar  measures, 
and  soon  many  of  the  leading  ministers  of  the  South 
entered  upon  the  missionary  work  in  the  armies  with  a 
zeal  truly  apostolic,  and  with  a  success  that  cannot  be 
fully  known  until  the  last  day. 

The  news  that  they  were  to  have  more  preachers  in  the 
army  was  hailed  with  joy  by  the  soldiers.  A  writer  from 
Kershaw's  brigade  wrote  :  "  We  are  having  good  times 
in  our  brigade  now — preaching  twice  a  week  and  three 
times  on  Sunday.  We  have  only  two  preachers,  a  Bap- 
tist and  a  Presbyterian — both  good — but  if  we  had  more 
preachers,  T  think  we  would  have  a  great  revival.  I 
never  saw  men  so  anxious  to  hear  preaching.  They 
crowd  around  the  preaching  place  two  or  three  hours  be- 
fore the  preacher  gets  there."  When  the  missionaries 
entered  the  army  they  fomid  the  fields  white  already  to 
the  harvest. 

Perhaps  the  most  unlikely  place  for  a  revival  at  this 
period  was  Vicksburg  and  its  vicinity ;  and  yet,  even 
there,  while  closely  pressed  by  heavy  Federal  forces, 
our  soldiers  were  deeply  pondering  the  question  of  sal- 
vation. The  Rev.  P.  A.  Johnston,  chaplain  of  the  38th 
Mississippi  Volunteers,  wrote  of  a  revival  at  Snyder's 
Bluff: 

"The  Lord  is  at  work  among  us.  His  stately  step- 
pings  are  often  heard  and  his  presence  felt  to  the  com- 
fort of  our  souls.  We  have  had  for  the  past  week  very 
interesting  pra^'er-meetings.  The}'^  were  well-attended 
and  the  very  highest  interest  manifested.  Souls  are 
hungry  for  the  '  bread  of  life.' 


SPKING  OF  1863.  269 

"Often  in  these  prayer-meetings  there  are  from  twelve 
to  twenty  mourners.  There  have  already  been  two  or 
three  conversions,  and  four  have  joined  the  Church. 
Sinners  are  being  awakened,  mourners  comforted,  and 
the  Christian  established  in  the  faith.  The  camp  is  a 
rough,  hard  life.  But,  sir,  I  feel  fully  compensated  for 
every  privation  and  hardship  I  have  been  subjected  to. 

"And  no^,  one  word  to  state  a  very  important  fact. 
The  partitions  are  well-nigh  broken  down  that  have  here- 
tofore kept  Christians  so  far  apart.  We  know  each 
other  here  only  as  Christian  brethren  travelling  to  a  bet- 
ter world.  Our  meeting  is  still  progressing.  Pray  for 
us." 

There  was  scarcely  a  conmiand  in  any  part  of  the 
field  that  did  not  call  for  the  gospel.  Rev.  J.  W.  Turner, 
writing  from  Savannah,  Georgia,  says:  '"Our  people 
seem  to  have  deserted  us,'  was  the  language  of  a  sick 
soldier  in  one  of  the  hospitals  in  this  city.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  25th  Georgia  regiment,  which  has  been 
encamped  near  this  place  for  nearly  eighteen  months." 
The  Baptists  had  given  fruitful  attention  to  this  part  of 
the  field,  as  they  did  indeed  with  self-sacrificing  zeal  to 
every  portion  of  the  army.  "  There  are  three  Baptist 
ministers,"  says  Mr.  Johnston,  "acting  as  general  chap- 
lains, colporteurs,  &c.,  within  and  around  this  city.  They 
are  giving  their  whole  time  to  the  distribution  of  Testa- 
ments, tracts,  and  Baptist  periodicals,  and  to  the  preach- 
ing of  the  word."  But  few  of  any  other  denomination 
were  laboring  at  this  time  in  this  portion  of  the  army. 

Of  the  forces  stationed  at  Cumberland  Gap,  Rev.  A. 
M.  Jones,  chaplain  of  the  55th  Georgia,  writes  :  "  Hav- 
ing no  house  of  worship,  and  the  weather  being  very  in- 
clement and  unpleasant,  I  have  done  very  little  preach- 
ing, but  am  endeavoring  to  do  all  the  good  I  can  by  vis- 
iting the  sick  and  procuring  religious  reading  for  the  sol- 
diers. Yesterday  morning  the  mail  brought  us  one  hun- 
dred copies  of  the  Southei'n  Christian  Advocate,  which 


270  THE    GREAT   REVIVAL. 

gives  about  ten  to  each  company.  With  joy  they  were 
received,  and  with  pleasure  distributed  among  the  sol- 
diers. Walking  through  the  regiment  five  minutes  after 
this  time,  3'ou  might  have  seen,  in  almost  every  cabin 
and  street,  men  deeply  interested,  poring  over  this  silent 
messenger  of  intelligence  and  truth."  Man\'  a  nail  was. 
fastened  in  a  sure  place  by  these  messengers  of  truth 
sent  by  multiplied  thousands  into  all  the  camps. 

Some  of  the  sermons  preached  by  the  leading  minis- 
ters of  the  Churches  were  so  memorable  as  never  to  be 
forgotten  by  those  who  heard  or  read  them.  The  Rev. 
Dr.  J.  C.  Stiles,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  delivered  a 
sermon  on  "  National  Rectitude,"  which  was  replete  with 
the  noblest  sentiments  and  delivered  with  all  tlie  force 
and  fire  of  his  patriotic  heart.  Speaking  of  the  vices 
which  stood  in  the  pathwa}'  of  the  Confederacy  to  a  free 
nationality,  he  seized  those  who  fattened  upon  their 
country's  grief,  and  held  them  up  to  the  gaze  of  the 
world.     Of  the  speculator  he  exclaimed  : 

"  Miserable  man !  How  could  he  escape  the  all-per- 
vading, generous  patriotism  of  the  day,  and  incarcerate 
his  soul  in  such  a  cell  of  enormous  degradation  !  The 
process  is  simple.  His  avaricious  heart  discovere<l  that 
in  our  country  the  regular  supply  of  merchant&ble  com- 
modities, which  always  keeps  down  the  price,  was  cut 
off  by  the  war,  while  the  consumption  of  the  same  was 
as  steady  and  undiminished  as  ever.  Consequently,  a 
steadil3'-increasing  demand  must  as  steadily  augment 
the  price.  Let  him  then  monopolize  a  large  portion  of 
necessary  goods  at  their  present  value  and  hold  over; 
ere  long  he  must  I'eceive  one,  two,  five,  ten  hundred  per 
cent,  upon  his  money,  and  ultimately  make  his  fortune. 
Just  there  the  man  anchored  his  heart,  his  whole  heart. 
This  crisis  of  his  country  !  What  a  nick  of  time  for  ac- 
cumulation !  How  soon  he  must  become  a  man  of  for- 
tune, of  enormous  fortune  !  And,  oh,  the  luxuries,  and 
the  power,  and  the  pride,  and  the  fame,  and  the  rest  of 


SPRING   OF   1863.  271 

magnificent  possessions  !  Over  and  over  again  he  turns 
the  absorbing  subject  in  his  thoughts  in  ever  new  and 
more  enchanting  lights — until  he  has  churned  up  an 
egregious  j^earning  of  the  bowels  after  filthj'-  lucre.  No- 
thing else  does  he  see,  or  feel,  or  live  for. 

"  Behold  that  great,  hungry  shark  of  the  ocean  !  In 
the  wake  of  the  great  ship  he  has  scented  the  flesh  and 
blood  of  the  bait,  and  have  it  he  will.  He  reaches  the 
bullock's  head,  but  teeth,  bones,  and  horns  are  in  his 
way.  What  cares  he  ?  Unchecked  for  an  instant,  he 
opens  his  prodigious  jaws,  and  down  go  teeth,  bones, 
horns,  and  all.  So  exactly  with  our  great  land-shark. 
The  shining  bait  before  him  he  will  seize  and  nothing, 
nothing  shall  prevent  him.  But  see  !  Self-respect  and 
social  standing  and  decency — they  all  lie  in  his  vfay. 
If  either  of  them  survives,  that  fortune  is  not  his.  Naj^ ! 
he  cannot  commence  his  hoarding.  Mark  the  specu- 
lator !  He  halts  not  an  instant,  but  forthwith  extends 
his  voracious  mouth  and  crushes  and  devours  them  all, 
and  drives  on  his  fell  pursuit. 

"  Wretched  man  !  his  fearful  work  of  crushing  human 
weal  and  heaven's  law  magnifies  upon  him  at  every 
move.  Nothing  now  short  of  the  most  audacious  and 
inhuman  spirit  can  nerve  him  to  another  step.  For  if 
the  fraternity  which  he  leads  is  still  determined  to  press 
on  their  scheme  of  unprincipled,  heartless,  reckless,  ac- 
quisition— ever  rising  prices,  and  ever  falling  and  failing 
currency,  must,  ere  long,  embarrass  every  fiscal  measure 
of  the  legislator,  cripple  every  wheel  of  the  government, 
cut  oflT  supplies  from  every  national  agent,  enfeeble 
ever}^  movement  of  the  army,  convulse  the  masses  with 
dread  anxiety  about  their  daily  bread,  crowd  the  man- 
sions of  the  rich  with  the  cries  of  the  famishing  poor, 
and  wake  up  the  darkest  apprehensions  touching  the  ul- 
timate issues  of  the  country's  struggle.  But  what  of 
all  this  ?  It  is  nothing,  nothing  to  the  speculator.  His 
whole  heart  is  immovably  fixed. 


272  THE    GREAT    RE^T\'AL. 

•'There  13  no  deed  of  darkness  which  the  soul  of  the 
accomplished  speculator  is  not  primed  and  charged  to 
-  accomplish.  Tliat  miserable  man  !  At  such  a  time  as 
this !  Yes,  at  such  a  time  as  this,  he  can  feed  and  fat- 
ten upon  the  taslced  sinews  of  the  government,  upon  the 
struggling  liberties  of  the  people,  upon  the  scanty  wages 
of  the  soldier,  upon  tlie  failing  morsels  of  the  poor,  upon 
the  last  solace  of  the  sick,  the  wounded,  and  the  be- 
reaved, and  feel  nothing.  He  can  ponder  all  the  brutal, 
crushing  cruelties  of  Northern  subjugation,  and  dwell 
upon  all  the  swelling,  bursting,  maddening  endurances, 
endurances  of  the  Southern  captive,  and  yet  feel  nothing. 
The  spirt  of  the  South  ;  that  most  beautiful,  genial,  admi- 
rable element  of  our  national  heritage — that  Southern 
spirit,  so  brave,  generous,  proud,  and  independent — he 
can  look  forth  into  the  future  and  see  that  spirit,  that 
noble  spirit,  by  most  unlioly  persecution,  crushed  out  of 
the  people  and  13'ing  a  cold  corpse  over  all  these  hills 
and  valleys  where  once  it  lived  so  vigorous  and  happy  an 
existence  ;  yes,  and  f^iel  nothing.  Oh,  yes  !  That  fellow- 
man  !  He  can  gaze  upon  all  this  heart-rending  spectacle 
and  feel  nothing,  nothing  but  the  splendors  of  that  for- 
tune he  sucks  out  of  the  last  drop  of  his  country's  blood. 
The  love  of  money — oh,  the  love  of  money  !  Well  saith 
Scripture,  It  is  the  root  of  all  evil.  Look  out,  specu- 
lator !  Yet  a  little  while,  and  that  love  of  money  shall 
pierce  thee  through  with  many  sorrows  and  drown  thy 
soul  in  perdition  and  destruction  !" 

The  venerable  Bishop  James  O.  Andrew,  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  South,  in  an  address  to  the  ministers  and  mem- 
bers of  his  denomintion,  said  : 

"  These  should  be  days  of  self-denial.  Who  can  think 
of  making  parties  and  feasting  on  rich  dainties,  when 
thousands  of  gallant  men,  away  from  all  their  loved 
ones,  are  scarcely  able  to  get  the  plainest  food,  and  are 
enduring  it  all  patiently,  that  we  may  be  defended  in  the 
enjoyment  of  home  and  liberty ;  and  when  thousands  of 


SPUING  OF  1863.  -273 

the  loved  ones,  whom  they  have  left  at  homo,  have 
scarcely  bread  to  eat  and  clothes  to  wear  ?  Is  there  not 
something  heartless  in  the  music  of  ball-rooms  and  thea- 
tres and  in  wine  and  brandy  parties,  when  hostile  fleets 
and  armies  are  hovering  around  our  cities  and  our  whole 
sea-coast,  threatening  to  carry  devastation  into  all  the 
land  ?  Verily,  the  voice  of  confession  and  prayer  would 
suit  us  better. 

"I  see  that  our  President  has  again  issued  a  proclama- 
tion calling  on  all  the  people  to  repair  to  the  house  of 
God,  to  fast,  and  humble  and  afflict  our  souls  before 
him,  beseeching  him  to  forgive  our  individual  and  na- 
tional sins,  and  to  send  us*dtliverance  from  the  mighty 
fleets  and  armies  which  are  marshalled  against  us  and 
threaten  to  destroy  us  and  devour  our  inheritance.  I 
trust  that  all  the  people  will  obey  the  summons,  and 
that  on  that  day  the  confessions,  thanksgivings,  and 
supplications,  of  the  whole  people  will  go  up  with  ac- 
ceptance to  the  throne  of  the  divine  grace." 

Charleston,  S.  C,  was  a  point  of  great  interest  during 
the  whole  period  of  the  war,  and  the  fiery  temper  of  the 
men  who  opened  the  fearful  drama  might  be  supposed 
to  be  unfavorable  to  the  progress  of  the  revival.  But 
it  was  not  so.  Among  the  soldiers  that  lay  for  many 
weary  months  on  the  bare  sands  of  the  barren  islands, 
and  on  the  borders  of  the  lagoons  around  that  city,  the 
work  of  grace  went  steadily  forward.  Christian  Asso- 
ciations were  formed,  religious  books,  tracts,  and  papers 
were  distributed,  and  earnest  sermons  preached,  which 
resulted  in  most  blessed  scenes.  In  the  46th  Georgia 
such  an  organization  was  formed,  and  the  soldiers  who 
united  in  it  said  :  "  Our  object  is  to  make  it  a  desposi- 
tory  for  the  names  of  members  of  the  Church,  that  they 
may  be  known  as  such,  and  that  thereby  we  may  be  the 
better  enabled  to  watch  over  each  other  for  good ;  that 
each  may  feel  that  he  has  something  to  do  in  teaching 
sinners  the  way  of  life ;  and  that  by  a  godly  walk  and 


274  TIIE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

pious  conversation  lie  ought  to  honor  his  profession  and 
glorify  the  God  of  his  salvation."  One  hundred  and 
eighty-four  Christian  soldiers  gave  their  names  to  the 
Association.  Of  this  regiment,  Rev.  T.  C.  Stanley  was 
then  the  chaplain,  Lieutenant  N.  B.  Binion  was  Presi- 
dent of  the  Association,  and  W.  J.  Brown  Secretary. 
These  men  came  out  not  only  to  fight,  to  suffer,  to  die 
for  their  country,  but  to  work  for  God  and  the  truth  in 
the  midst  of  all  the  evils  and  corruptions  of  the  camp. 

The  signs  from  other  portions  of  the  army  in  the  West 
and  Southwest  were  cquall}'  cheering.  Along  the  lines 
in  East  Tennessee  the  revival  began  to  spread  with  great 
jDOwer.  Rev.  W.  B.  Norris,  writing  from  Loudon,  Tenn., 
says : 

"  During  the  month  (April)  there  has  been  a  deep 
religious  interest  among  the  soldiers  here.  We  have 
had  a  series  of  meetings  for  about  two  weeks,  which,  we 
hope,  resulted  in  much  good. 

"  The  church  in  which  we  met  was  always  crowded  to 
the  utmost,  and  there  were  always  many  seekers  for  the 
way  of  eternal  life." 

In  the  59th  Tennessee  regiment  there  was  a  glorious 
work.     Rev.  S.  Strick,  the  chaplain,  says  : 

"  God  is  at  work  among  our  men.  Many  are  earnestly 
seeking  the  pardon  of  their  sins — some  have  been  con- 
verted. Our  nightly  prayer-meetings  are  well-attended 
by  anxious  listeners,  and  my  tent  is  crowded  daily  by 
deeply  penitent  souls.  Never  have  I  known  such  a  state 
of  religious  feeling  in  our  army  as  at  this  time.  God's 
Spirit  is  moving  the  hearts  of  our  soldiers." 

From  the  38th  Alabama  volunteers  Rev.  A.  D.  McVoy 
sent  good  tidings : 

"  We  have  held  nightly  meetings  almost  uninterrupt- 
edly, whenever  the  weather  permitted,  ever  since  last 
October,  with  large  attendance,  much  interest,  and  good 
results.  Some  conversions  and  accessions  to  the  Church 
have  gladdened  our  hearts.     While  stationed  in  Mobile 


SPRING  OF  1863.  275 

we  had  every  convenience  for  religious  worship — a  large 
arbor  with  seats  and  stands  for  fire.  Since  we  have 
been  transferred  to  Tennessee  we  have  resumed  our 
nightly  meetings,  either  in  quarters  or  upon  some  neigh- 
boring hill,  where  the  shade  is  good,  and  where  with 
logs  we  could  construct  our  rude  altar  to  God.  Such  a 
place  as  this  has  truly  become  a  little  Bethel  to  our 
souls.  I  never  saw  men  more  concerned  about  their 
soul's  salvation.  In  a  little  gathering  last  night,  which 
was  greatl}^  interrupted  by  rain,  we  had  thirty  to  rise  for 
praj-ers.  The  feeling  seems  to  be  deep  and  earnest. 
The  members  of  the  different  Churches,  who  number 
over  two  hundred  in  my  regiment,  are  greatly  revived 
and  aroused  to  duty.  I  have  never  found  men  listen 
with  more  profound  attention  to  the  word  of  God.  We 
seem  to  be  upon  the  eve  of  a  gracious  revival  and  out- 
pouring of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  which  we  are  praying, 
watching,  and  struggling." 

Rev.  F.  Milton  Kennedy  rejoiced  in  a  great  revival  in 
the  28th  North  Carolina  regiment : 

•'  I  am  having  a  delightful  meeting  in  my  regiment. 
Yesterday  I  administered  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper  to  about  one  hundred  communicants,  and  many, 
who  have  repeatedly  met  the  shock  of  battle  with  un- 
quailing  hearts,  were  melted  to  tenderness  and  tears  by 
the  power  of  grace.  Last  night  there  were  between 
thirty  and  forty  penitents.  Up  to  this  time,  as  far  as  I 
have  been  able  to  ascertain,  about  fifteen  have  professed 
conversion,  and  upon  the  first  invitation  given  to  candi- 
dates for  Church-membership  (at  the  close  of  the  com- 
munion service  on  yesterday),  sixteen  came  forward.  I 
trust  the  Church  at  home  will  remember  the  army  in 
their  prayers.  There  is  a  powerful  and  growing  reli- 
gious interest  prevalent  throughout  large  portions  of 
this  army,  which  onl}^  needs  the  impulse  of  a  prayerful 
Church  art  home  to  sweep  through  the  entire  command  and 
transform  her  heroic  soldiery  into  a  sacramental  host." 


2~6  THE    GREAT    KEVIVAL. 

Rev.  W.  T.  Bennett,  chaplain  of  the  12th  Tennessee 
regiment,  Polk's  corps,  wrote  : 

"  Our  regiment  is  being  greatly  blessed.  We  meet 
from  night  to  night  for  exhortation,  instruction,  and 
prayer.  Alreadj'^  there  have  been  upwards  of  thirt}' 
conversions.  Most  of  them  have  joined  the  Church. 
There  are  yet  a  large  •  number  of  inquirers.  The  moral 
tone  of  the  regiment  seems  rapidly  changing  for  the 
better." 

Rev.  T.  C.  Stanley,  to  whom  we  have  alread}'  referred, 
reported  favorably  from  the  46th  Georgia  regiment. 
More  than  two  hundred  were  enrolled  in  the  Association, 
and  the  movement  was  heartily  seconded  by  the  field, 
staff,  and  line  officers.  Colonel  Colquitt,  Major  Spears, 
Quartermaster  Leonard,  and  others,  gave  aid  and  counsel 
to  tlie  chaplain. 

Among  the  troops  at  Columbus,  INIiss.,  a  work  of  much 
interest  began,  which  was  interrupted  in  its  progress  by 
their  removal  to  Jackson.  The  chaplain  laboring  there, 
Rev.  W.  H.  Smith,  sent  forth  an  earnest  call  to  the  home 
Churches  for  help.  "  Brethren !  ministers !  are  you 
asleep?  Do  you  not  hear  the  cries  of  3'our  countrymen 
calling  to  you  from  every  part  of  the  land  ?  Tlie  sol- 
diers feel  their  need  of  salvation,  and  are  crying  for  the 
gospel !  And  will  you  withhold  it  from  them  ?  Awake  ! 
arise  !  gird  yourselves  with  the  whole  armor  of  God, 
and  come  forth  '  to  the  help  of  the  Lord,  to  the  help  of 
the  Lord  against  the  mighty.'" 

An  officer  of  the  5th  Georgia  regiment,  stationed  at 
Bridgeport,  Tenn.,  sent  back  home  his  appeal : 

"Our  regiment  now  numbers  about  650,  and  these 
men  have  not  heard  a  sermon  in  Jioe  months.  What  a 
thought !  Who  is  to  blame  ?  The  men  ?  I  think  not. 
The  officers  ?  No.  Who  then  ?  The  ministry  or  the 
Christians  at  home.  I  have  done  all  in  my  power  to 
secure  the  services  of  some  minister  to  preach  for  us, 
but  have,  so  far,  entirely  failed.     Our  regiment  is  com- 


SPRING  OF  1863.  277 

posed  mostly  of  young  men,  many  of  them,  at  home, 
members  of  the  Church — Christians ;  and  shall  it  be 
said  that  any  of  these  have  backslidden  or  have  died, 
and  are  forever  lost,  for  the  want  of  proper  counsel  ? 
God  forbid." 

Rev.  S.  M.  Cherry  made  a  call  from  the  army  of  Ten- 
nessee : 

"  There  is  much  interest  manifested  in  our  corps  now. 
The  cry,  '  Come  over  and  help  us,'  is  heard  from  the 
serious  soldiers  in  several  commands.  The  harvest  truly 
is  great  and  the  laborers  few.  Revivals  are  reported  in 
several  brigades.     Chaplains  still  scarce." 

Rev.  C.  T.  Quintard,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  chaplain  for  Polk's  corps,  and  J.  H.  Bryson,  of 
the  Presbj-^terian  Church,  chaplain  of  Hardee's  corps,  in 
appealing  to  the  public  for  aid  in  supplying  Bibles,  Tes- 
taments, and  Hymn-Books  to  the  soldiers,  said  : 

"  We  feel  that  we  need  only  mention  the  fact  that  our 
brave  soldiers  are  asking  for  the  "Word  of  Life  in  order 
to  secure  from  a  generous  public  the  most  liberal  con- 
tributions. Who  can  withhold,  when  the  sick  and 
wounded  who  fill  our  hospitals  ask  for  the  word  of  God 
to  cheer  and  sustain  them  during  their  days  of  afflic- 
tion, their  nights  of  weariness  and  suffering?  We  feel 
confident  that  there  are  many  who  will  give  neither 
grudgingly  nor  of  necessity,  but  with  cheerful  hearts 
and  liberal  hands.  The  religious  interests  of  our  sol- 
diers demand  and  must  receive  prompt  attention  from 
every  lover  of  good  order,  civil  liberty,  and  piety  to- 
wards God." 

These  and  thousands  of  similar  appeals  stirred  up  the 
home  Churches  to  redoubled  eflTorts  on  behalf  of  their 
fellow-citizens  in  the  field.  The  Bishops  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  South,  in  their  appeal  for  means  for  the  Army 
Mission,  said  : 

"  The  moral  character  of  the  army  is  dear  to  all  the 
people,  and  demands  that  prompt  provision  be  made  to 
12a 


278  TIFE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

preserve  and  promote  it.     The  Church  has  precious  in- 
terests at  stake,  in  that  many  of  her  members  are  found 
in  the  ranks,  and  need  ministerial  instruction,  and  S3'm 
pathy,  and  influence,  to  counteract  surrounding  tempta 
tions  and  keep  up  in  vigorous  action  their  personal  piet}'^ 
Moreover,  the  exposure  of  our  fellow-citizens,  kindred 
and  friends,  to  disease  and  death,  in  a  thousand  forms 
makes  an  earnest  effort  for  their  salvation  a  duty  which 
admits  of  no  delay,  and  calls  upon  us  all  to  do  what  we 
can  to  meet  the  emergency  with  loving  hearts  and  libe- 
ral hands.     The  Great  Head  of  the  Church  has  mani- 
fested his  gracious  will  by  sending  his  Holy  Spirit  in  a 
remarkable  manner  to  the  aid  of  those  who  are  laboring 
in  this  important  field. 

"  Men  and  brethren,  help.  Your  country  calls.  Your 
Church  implores  your  aid.  Patriotism  urges,  by  all  the 
ties  of  citizenship  and  the  claims  of  your  imperilled 
countrymen.  Piety  pleads  with  you  by  the  love  of  Christ 
and  of  souls,  the  sanctified  hopes  and  affections  of  our 
immortal  nature,  the  present  duty  and  future  glory  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom  upon  earth.  Let  us  be  up  and 
doing.  Give  freely,  largely.  Deny  yourselves.  Mag- 
nify the  grace  of  God  in  you  and  toward  you.  Fill  the 
treasury  of  the  Lord,  that  we,  j-our  servants,  for  Christ's 
sake,  may  send  the  gospel  of  peace  to  every  army  of 
the  Confederacy." 

Rev.  Dr.  E.  W.  Sehon,  the  Missionary  Secretary  of 
this  Church,  travelled  at  large  appealing  to  the  people 
and  collecting  thousands  of  dollars  for  the  Army  Mis- 
sion. "  But  one  heart  of  patriotism,"  he  said,  "  beats 
in  the  land.  All  are  united  in  a  struggle  for  justice  and 
right,  and  all  are  laboring  to  sustain  "our  noble  army. 
We  call  for  the  same  attention  to  be  manifested  by  the 
Churches  to  their  spiritual  wants.  With  all  the  wise 
provisions  of  the  Government  in  the  appointment  of 
chaplains,  there  is  still  a  loud  call  for  ministerial  help. 
Other  faithful  preachers  should  be  sent  to  aid  in  the 


SPUING  OF  1863.  279 

great  work  of  those  already  gone.  On  the  march,  in 
the  hospital,  and  on  the  tented  field — at  all  times  and  in 
every  place — these  men  of  God  should  be  with  our  brave 
soldiers." 

The  action  of  other  Churches  was  equally  prompt  and 
efficient.  The  Baptist  Board  of  Domestic  Missions  set 
the  sister  Churches  a  noble  example.  At  the  General 
Convention,  twenty-six  missionaries  were  reported  as 
laborers  in  the  army — one  in  Florida ;  two  in  Alabama 
and  North  Carolina,  respectively  ;  three  in  South  Caro- 
lina ;  four  in  Mississippi,  Georgia,  and  Virginia,  respec- 
tively ;  and  six  in  Tennessee — and  the  Board  determined 
to  increase  the  number  to  the  extent  of  men  and  means 
offering.  These  missionaries  moved  from  camp  to  camp, 
and  sometimes  accompanied  the  troops  on  long  marches, 
conversing  with  the  men,  distributing  tracts,  Testaments, 
religious  papers,  holding  meetings  for  prayer  and  exhor- 
tation, and  preaching  as  they  found  it  convenient. 

One  feature  of  this  army  work  deserves  special  no- 
tice. The  aim  of  the  laborers  seemed  to  be  to  lead  the 
soldiers  to  Christ,  not  to  make  them  sectarians.  It  was 
alleged  that  the  Baptist  Tract  Society  was  circulating 
tracts  in  the  army  teaching  the  peculiar  tenets  of  that 
Church  on  the  subject  of  baptism.  This  charge  the  Re- 
ligious Herald,  of  Richmond,  Va.,  one  of  the  leading  pa- 
pers of  that  denomination,  unqualifiedly  denied,  and  de- 
clared that  since  the  war  opened  their  Board  had  not 
published  a  line  bearing  directly  or  indirectly  on  the 
question  of  baptism.  A  similar  rumor  prevailed  con- 
cerning the  Methodists  issuing  tracts  teaching  their  views 
covtra  on  the  same  question,  but  this  was  found  to  be 
untrue.  Over-zealous  men  of  both  Churches  might,  on 
their  own  responsibility,  have  circulated  old  tracts  bear- 
ing on  these  mooted  subjects,  but  the  publications  of 
this  class  printed  during  the  war  avoided  disputed  points 
and  taught  the  great  cardinal  doctrines  and  duties  of 
religion. 


280  TILE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

The  great  concern  of  the  people  at  home  for  the  sal- 
vation of  their  fellow-countr3'men  in  the  armies  soon 
bore  fruit.  In  the  army  of  Tennessee  there  was  a  glo- 
rious work,  which  embraced  hundreds  and  thousands  in 
its  influence.  The  Rev.  F.  S.  Petway,  chaplain  of  the 
44th  Tennessee  regiment,  Joluison's  brigade,  Cleburn's 
division,  in  connection  with  other  ministers,  reported  a 
wonderful  revival  in  that  celebrated  command  : 

"  In  the  latter  part  of  March,"  he  sa3's,  "  Chaplain 
Tajdor,  of  the  23d  Tennessee  regiment,  commenced  a 
series  of  meetings  at  Tullalioraa,  assisted  by  Rev.  A.  W. 
Smith,  of  the  25th,  and  myself,  which  continued  for 
several  weeks,  until  temporarily  interrupted  by  military 
movements.  Tiiese  meetings  have  resulted  in  much 
spiritual  benefit  to  professed  Christians,  while  about  one 
hundred  and  five  souls  have  embraced  Christ  as  their 
Saviour. 

"  In  General  Wood's  brigade  a  meeting  of  great  in- 
terest has  for  several  weeks  been  under  the  supervision 
of  Rev.  F.  A.  Kimball,  chaplain  of  the  16th  Alabama, 
assisted  mainly  b\'  Colonel  Reed,  Chief  of  Provost  Mar- 
shal Department,  in  Hardee's  corps,  and  Col.  Lowery, 
of  the  45th  and  32d  Mississippi,  the  result  of  which  has 
been  one  hundred  conversions.  In  the  same  brigade, 
Chaplain  Otkin,  of  Col.  Lowery's  regiment,  has  been 
conducting  religious  services,  which,  from  the  best  in- 
formation received,  has  been  productive  of  great  good 
in  restoring  many  wanderers  to  their  former  enjoyments 
and  inducting  about  forty-five  souls  into  the  kingdom  of 
Christ. 

"In  General  Polk's  brigade,  Bro.  Davis,  of  the  1st  Ar- 
kansas, and  Qnarles,  of  the  45th  Tennessee,  have  been 
laboring  with  commendable  zeal  and  success  in  their  re- 
spective commands,  with  occasional  assistance  from 
Chaplains  Smith  and  Taylor,  and  as  the  fruit  of  their 
labors  God  has  converted  about  seventy  souls. 

"  In  General  Lidell's  Arkansas  brigade,  which  is  desti- 


SPRING  OF  1863.  281 

tute  of  a  chaplain,  a  meeting  was  commenced  five  weeks 
since  by  Bro.  Anderson,  preacher  in  charge  of  Bedford 
Circuit,  but  who,  in  consequence  of  affliction,  was  forced 
to  retire  in  the  very  incipiency  of  an  encouraging  re- 
vival. The  charge  of  the  meeting  devolved  on  me,  and 
with  the  efficient  aid  of  Bros.  Taylor,  Smitli.  and  Steven- 
son (the  latter  of  whom  is  a  supernumerary  member  of 
the  Tennessee  Conference),  it  has  continued  up  to  the 
present  time,  without  any  abatement  of  the  interest. 
Each  night  crowds  of  penitents  throng  the  altar  for 
prayer,  averaging  from  eighty-five  to  one  hundred,  and 
the  number  of  conversions,  according  to  the  most  correct 
estimate,  will  not  fall  below  one  hundred  and  forty." 

The  whole  number  converted  at  these  meetings  was 
four  hundred  and  seventy-eight,  while  hundreds  more, 
who  had  yielded  to  the  vices  and  temptations  of  the 
camp,  found  the  joy  of  salvation  restored  to  their  souls. 
Under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  S.  M.  Cherry,  in  McCown's 
division,  the  conversions  in  two  regiments  reached  one 
hundred  and  forty.  In  the  brigades  of  Gens.  Stuart  and 
Wright,  the  revival  was  powerful  and  many  were  con- 
verted. "  In  these  revivals,"  says  Mr.  Petway,  "  two  en- 
couraging facts  are  made  manifest.  We  see  officers, 
from  colonels  of  regiments  down  to  captains,  lieuten- 
ants, and  sergeants,  giving  their  counsels  and  mingling 
their  tears,  songs,  and  prayers,  with  those  of  the  private 
soldier,  and  a  good  number  of  those  who  are  thus  en- 
gaged have  recently  been  made  partakers  of  God's  con- 
verting grace.  Another  fact  worthy  of  notice  consists 
in  the  marked  attention  and  deep  solemnity  of  the  vast 
crowds  to  whom  we  preach. 

"The  idea  of  disrespect  among  soldiers  to  the  worship 
of  God  seems  to  have  gained  the  ascendancy  in  the 
minds  of  those  at  home,  than  which  nothing  is  more  un- 
founded. While  the  army  is  composed  of  every  variety 
of  character,  some  of  whom  have  no  aspiration  bej^ond 
that  of  card-playing  and  low,  vulgar  profanity,  yet  there 


282  THE    GUEAT   UEVrVAL. 

are  hundreds,  who,  in  point  of  intellect  and  high-toned 
morals,  rank  with  the  first  men  in  the  Southern  Confede- 
racy', and  who,  like  the  evergreen  among  the  blasted 
shrubbery,  shed  a  healthful  influence  around  them. 
Could  many  of  our  fashionable  city  crowds  be  present 
and  witness  the  marked  respect  paid  by  these  men  to 
the  service  of  God,  they  would  not  only  be  proud  of  our 
army,  but  some  among  the  elite  would,  perhaps,  be  put  to 
the  blush  and  acknowledge  an  example  worthy  of  their 
imitation.  And  in  order  to  remove  false  impressions 
abroad,  with  regard  to  these  noble  men  who  are  suffer- 
ing and  sacrificing  so  much  for  the  good  of  our  countr3% 
I  affirm,  that,  during  a  ministry  of  seventeen  years,  I 
have  rarely,  even  in  the  most  enlightened  communities, 
preached  to  as  large  crowds  to  whose  deportment  during 
divine  service  so  little  exception  could  ])e  taken ;  and  in 
the  assertion  I  will  be  sustained  by  a  large  majority  of 
the  chaplains.  It  is  due  to  the  soldiers  that  this  fact  be 
made  public,  and  thus  disprove  a  slander,  so  often  re- 
peated, that  card-playing,  profane  swearing,  and  low 
vulgarity,  are  not  unusual  within  a  few  steps  of  where 
divine  service  is  being  conducted.  I  have  preached 
nearly  one  hundred  sermons  within  eight  months  in  the 
arm3%  and  such  things  have  uot  yet  fallen  under  my  ob- 
servation ;  and,  moreover,  were  men  even  inclined  thus 
to  insult  God  and  the  ministry,  the  restraints  of  military 
law  would  soon  place  them  beyond  the  possibility  of  re- 
peating the  act.     So  the  charge  refutes  itself." 

To  this  work  Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  McFerrin,  who  had  been 
recently  appointed  army  missionary,  contributed  greatly 
by  his  able  and  fervent  sermons.  He  was  personally 
known  to  thousands  in  the  army  of  Tennessee,  and  his 
coming  was  like  the  visiJ;  of  a  father  to  his  children. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  sent  forth  many  of  her  ablest 
ministers.  Rev.  Dr.  Waddell,  Chancellor  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  Mississippi,  was  appointed  Superintendent  of 
Army  Missions  in  the  West  and  Southwest,  and  he  was 


SPRING  OF  1863.  283 

ably  supported  b}^  such  men  as  Dr.  Palmer,  of  New  Or- 
leans, Dr.  Rutherford,  Dr.  E.  T.  Baird,  Rev.  J.  H.  Bry- 
son,  and  raanj'  other  earnest  preachers.  In  the  army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  they  had  Dr.  B.  T.  Lacy,  Dr.  R.  E. 
Dabney,  and  others,  who  gave  a  great  impetus  to  the  re- 
vival by  their  unwearied  and  successful  labors.  Be- 
sides the  regular  missionaries,  the  pastors  of  the  home 
churches  of  all  the  denominations  visited  and  preached 
to  the  various  camps,  on  all  occasions,  when  the}'^  could 
spare  time  from  their  charges. 

The  attention  given  to  the  word  preached  was  an  in- 
dex to  the  state  of  mind  in  the  army  congregations. 
"Could  you  see,"  said  a  writer  from  Kershaw's  brigade, 
'•the  crowd  that  collects  nightly  under  the  large  arbor 
prepared  for  the  purpose,  perhaps  you  would  be  sur- 
prised that,  in  the  large  concourse,  not  one  word  is 
spoken,  not  even  in  the  outskirts  of  the  congregation ; 
but  every  man  is  looking  intently  at  the  minister,  catch- 
ing every  word  that  falls  from  his  lips."  Another  writer 
from  a  different  command  :  "  I  have  never  seen  men  lis- 
ten with  more  profound  attention  to  the  word  of  God. 
We  seem  to  be  upon  the  eve  of  a  gracious  revival  and 
outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for  which  our  friends  at 
home,  I  trust,  are  offering  up  supplications  daily." 

The  men  of  this  regiment  gave  $425  to  enable  their 
chaplain  to  supply  them  with  Testaments,  tracts,  and  re- 
ligious papers. 

Rev.  T.  C.  Wier,  referring  to  the  religious  habits  of 
the  soldiers,  says  :  "  They  listen  with  a  quiet,  deferen- 
tial respect  to  the  Word,  rarely  witnessed  in  our  con- 
gregations at  home.  In  addition  to  preaching  and 
praj'er-meeting  on  the  Sabbath  or  during  the  week,  we 
have  public  praj'ers  at  the  Sunday  evening  dress  pa- 
rade. This  custom  was  introduced  into  our  regiment  at 
the  suggestion  of  our  first  Colonel,  Hon.  Robert  McLain, 
a  New  School  Presbyterian  preacher.  There  is  some- 
thing impressive  in  this  Sabbath  evening  prayer.     It  is 


284  THE    GREAT    UE%T\'AL. 

a  calm  evening,  and  the  men  are  drawn  np  in  the  order 
for  dress  parade.  At  the  commad,  'parade  rest,'  lean- 
ing gracelullj'  upon  their  arms,  thej'^  come  to  the  posi- 
tion of  '  rest.'  Our  good  Colonel  then  gives  the  com- 
mand, '  Attention  to  prayer  bj^  the  chaplain — heads  un- 
covered,' when  the  chaplain,  facing  the  regiment  a  few 
feet  in  front  of  the  Colonel,  offers  a  short,  appropriate 
prayer.  Such  a  scene  might  often  have  been  witnessed 
last  summer,  while  we  were  pleasantly  camped  near  Co- 
lumbus, Miss.  Since  that  time,  we  have  marched  many 
a  weary  mile,  and  seen  much  severe  service  in  the  camp 
and  on  the  bloody  field.  Our  good  Colonel  fell  mortally 
wounded  in  the  attempt  to  storm  Corinth,  and  found  a 
soldier's  grave  near  the  memorable  field.  His  last  mes- 
sage to  absent  friends  was,  'Tell  them  I  fell  in  defence 
of  a  just  cause.'  We  have  lost  other  men,  brave  and 
true,  and  passed  through  various  changes,  but  we  still 
keep  up  the  custom  of  praj^er  at  the  Sabbath  evening 
dress  parade." 

Leaving  now  for  a  time  the  armies  of  the  West,  let  us 
return  to  those  noble  heroes,  who,  in  the  East,  felt  and 
rejoiced  in  the  wonderful  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
which,  whether  in  the  camp,  on  the  march,  in  bivouac,  or 
on  the  field  of  battle,  marked  the  history  of  the  army 
of  Northern  Virginia  from  this  time  until  the  close  of 
the  war. 


f^-^z.- 


SPRING  OF  1863.  285 


CHAPTER  XVIIT. 

SPRING    OF     1863. 

RE-vavALS,  deep  and  genuine,  prevailed  in  nearly  every 
brigade  of  the  army  for  weeks  before  the  battle  of  Chan- 
Dellorsville.  In  Barksdale's  brigade,  just  before  the  fight, 
the  number  of  conversions  had  reached  two  hundred, 
and  when  the  heavy  columns  of  Hooker  began  their 
movements  the  revival  was  spreading  in  greatest  power. 
From  their  religious  services  the  soldiers  went  forth  to 
meet  the  foe ;  they  hurled  him  back  with  dreadful  loss, 
and  again  returned  to  hear  the  gospel  from  their  minis- 
ters, and  to  hold  their  prayer-meetings.  The  Rev.  W. 
H.  Potter,  of  Georgia,  who  spent  several  weeks  in  the 
army,  including  the  week  of  marches  and  battles,  re- 
ported the  work  of  grace  to  be  progressing  in  a  wonder- 
ful manner.  Even  the  week's  fighting  did  not  interrupt 
it,  but  on  the  next  Sabbath  the  regular  services  were 
held,  and  the  revival  went  on  with  power. 

The  movements  of  General  Hooker  were  made  with 
the  hope  of  deceiving  General  Lee,  but  he  was  met  and 
foiled  at  every  point.  On  the  28  th  of  April  he  crossed 
three  army  corps  over  the  river,  about  twenty  miles 
above  Fredericksburg.  His  crossing  was  met  and  op- 
posed. On  the  same  night  three  corps  were  crossed 
several  miles  below  that  place  under  cover  of  a  heavy 
fog.  These  were  held  at  bay  by  our  fortified  positions, 
while  General  Lee  repelled  the  attack  on  his  left  wing. 
Afterwards,  General  Hooker  made  pretence  of  withdraw- 
ing his  forces  below  the  town,  and  sending  them  to  aid 
his  right  wing ;  and,  while  General  Lee  was  fully  en- 
gaged in  the  wilderness  near  Chancellorsville,  he  sud- 
denly assaulted  and  carried  Marye's  Heights,  the  strong- 


286  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

est  CDnfederate  position  near  the  town.  On  the  2d  and 
3d  of  Ma^-,  General  Lee  drove  the  enemy  from  all  his 
positions  on  our  left,  and  immediately  returning  to  his 
own  right,  re-took  our  lost  positions  and  drove  the  Fede- 
rals to  the  shelter  of  heavy  batteries  on  the  north  bank 
of  the  river.  On  returning  again  to  the  left,  he  found 
that  General  Hooker  had  abandoned  his  entrenchments 
and  re-crossed  the  river. 

The  following  are  General  Lee's  official  dispatches  to 
President  Davis : 

"  Mllford,  May  3,  1863. 

"Yesterday,  General  Jackson  penetrated  to  the  rear 
of  the  enemy  and  drove  him  from  all  his  positions,  from 
the  Wilderness  to  within  one  mile  of  Chancellorsville. 
He  was  engaged  at  the  same  time  in  front  bj^  two  of 
Longstreet's  divisions.  This  morning  the  battle  was  re- 
newed. He  was  dislodged  from  his  strong  positions 
around  Chancellorsville,  and  driven  back  towards  the 
Rappahannock,  over  which  he  is  now  retreating.  Many 
prisoners  were  taken,  and  the  enemy's  loss  in  killed  and 
wounded  is  large.  We  have  again  to  thank  Almighty 
God  for  a  great  victory,  I  regret  to  state  that  General 
Paxton  was  killed  ;  General  Jackson  severely,  Generals 
Heth  and  A.  P.  Hill  slightly,  wounded. 

"  (Signed)  li.  E.  Lee,  General. 

"  May  5,  1863. 

"At  the  close  of  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  on 
Sunday,  the  enem3f  was  reported  advancing  from  Frede- 
ricksburg in  our  rear. 

"  General  McLaws  was  sent  back  to  arrest  his  pro- 
gress, and  repulsed  him  handsomely  that  afternoon. 
Learning  that  this  force  consisted  of  two  corps,  under 
General  Sedgwick,  1  deiermined  to  attack  it,  and 
marched  back  yesterday  with  General  Anderson,  and, 
uniting  with  Generals  McLaws  and  Early  in  the  after- 
noon, succeeded,  by  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  in  driving 


SPRING  OF  18G3.  287 

General  Sedgwick  over  the  river.  We  have  re-occupied 
Fredericksburg,  and  no  enemy  remains  south  of  the  Rap- 
pahannocli  in  its  vicinity. 

"  CnANCELLORS-vaLLE,  May  7,  1863. 

"After  driving  General  Sedgwick  across  the  Rappa- 
hannock on  the  night  of  the  4th,  I  returned  on  the  5tli 
to  Chancellorsville.  The  march  was  delayed  by  a  storm 
which  continued  the  whole  night  following.  In  placing 
the  troops  in  position  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  to  at- 
tack Hooker's  army,  I  ascertained  lie  had  abandoned  liis 
fortified  position.  A  line  of  skirmishers  pressed  forward 
until  they  came  within  range  of  the  enemy's  batteries, 
planted  on  the  north  of  the  Rappahannock,  which,  from 
the  configuration  of  tlie  ground,  completely  commanded 
this  side.  His  army,  therefore,  escaped  with  the  loss  of 
a  few  additional  prisoners. 

"(Signed)  R.  E.  Lee,  General  Commanding." 

The  dark  cloud  that  overhung  this  "great  victorj'"  was 
the  death  of  Gen.  Jackson.  The  sad  story  is  here  given 
as  it  was  reported  immediately  after  the  battle,  and  is, 
no  doubt,  in  the  main  correct.  By  one  of  his  rapid  flank 
movements  he  had  gained  the  rear  of  Hooker's  army, 
impetuously  assaulted  his  strong  positions,  driven  him 
out  of  them,  and,  but  for  the  approach  of  night,  would 
have  made  the  retreat  an  utter  rout.  Having  placed  his 
men  in  position  ready  for  any  movement  that  the  criti- 
cal occasion  might  require,  he  rode  forward  with  several 
of  his  staff  about  8  o'clock  on  Saturday  evening,  the  2d 
of  IMay,  to  reconnoitre  the  Federal  lines  in  front  in  the 
deep  forest.  Soon  coming  on  the  enemy's  advancing 
line  of  skirmishers,  they  turned  and  rode  rapidly  back 
towards  their  own  men,  who,  mistaking  the  party  for 
Federal  cavalry,  stooped  and  delivered  a  deadly  fire  at 
the  distance  of  twenty  paces. 

"So  sudden  and  stunning  was  this  vollej%"  says  Dr. 


288  THE   GREAT   REVTVAL. 

Dabney  in  his  life  of  Jackson,  "  and  so  near  at  hand, 
that  every  horse  which  was  not  shot  down  recoiled  from 
it  in  panic,  and  turned  to  rush  back,  bearing  their  riders 
toward  the  approaching  enemy.  Several  fell  dead  upon 
the  spot,  among  them  the  courageous  Captain  Boswell ; 
and  more  wounded.  Among  the  latter  was  Gen.  Jack- 
son. His  right  hand  was  penetrated  by  a  ball,  his  left 
fore-arm  lacerated  by  another,  and  the  same  limb  broken 
a  little  below  the  shoulder  by  a  third,  which  not  only 
crushed  the  bone,  but  severed  the  main  artery.  His 
horse  also  dashed,  panic-stricken,  toward  the  enemy, 
carrying  him  beneath  the  boughs  of  a  tree,  which  in- 
flicted severe  blows,  lacerated  his  face,  and  almost 
dragged  him  from  the  saddle.  His  bridle  hand  was  now 
powerless,  but  seizing  the  reins  with  the  right  hand, 
notwithstanding  its  wound,  he  arrested  his  career  and 
brought  the  animal  back  toward  his  own  lines.  He  was 
followed  bj'  his  faithful  attendant,  Captain  Wilbourne, 
and  his  faithful  assistant,  Wynn,  who  overtook  him  as 
he  passed  again  in  the  turnpike  near  the  spot  where  he 
had  received  the  fatal  shots.  *  *  *  Here  General 
Jackson  drew  up  his  horse  and  sat  for  an  instant  gazing 
toward  his  own  men,  as  if  in  astonishment  at  their  cruel 
mistake,  and  in  doubt  whether  he  should  again  venture 
to  approach  them.  To  the  anxious  inquiries  of  Captain 
Wilbourne,  he  replied  that  he  believed  his  arm  was 
broken,  and  requested  him  to  assist  him  from  his  horse 
and  examine  whether  the  wounds  were  bleeding  danger- 
ously. But  before  he  could  dismount  he  sunk  fainting 
into  their  arms,  so  completely  prostrate  that  they  were 
compelled  to  disengage  his  feet  from  the  stirrups. 

"  They  now  bore  him  aside  a  few  yards  into  the  woods 
north  of  the  turnpike,  to  shield  him  from  the  expected 
advance  of  the  Federalists ;  and  while  Wynn  was  sent 
for  an  ambulance  and  surgeon,  Wilbourne  proceeded, 
supporting  his  head  upon  his  bosom,  to  strip  his  mangled 
arm  and  bind  up  his  wound.     The  warm  blood  was  flow- 


SPRING  OF  1863.  289 

ing  in  a  stream  down  his  wrist ;  his  clothing  impeded 
all  access  to  its  source,  and  nothing  was  at  hand  more 
efficient  than  a  pen-knife  to  remove  the  obstructions. 
But  at  this  terrible  moment  he  saw  General  Hill,  with 
the  remnant  of  his  staff",  approaching,  and  called  to  him 
for  assistance.  He.  with  his  volunteer  aide.  Major  Leigh, 
dismounted,  and,  taking  the  body  of  the  General  into 
his  arms,  succeeded  in  reaching  the  wound,  and  staunch- 
ing the  blood  with  a  handkerchief.  The  swelling  of  the 
lacerated  flesh  had  already  performed  this  office  in  part. 
His  two  aides,  Lieutenants  Smith  and  Morrison,  arrived 
at  this  moment,  the  former  having  been  left  at  the  rear 
to  execute  some  orders,  and  the  latter  having  just  saved 
himself,  at  the  expense  of  a  stunning  fall,  b}'-  leaping 
from  his  horse  as  he  was  carrjdng  him  into  the  lines  of 
the  enemy.  *  *  *  It  was  at  this  moment  that  two 
Federal  skirmishers  approached  within  a  few  feet  of  the 
spot  where  he  lay,  with  their  muskets  cocked.  They 
little  knew  what  a  prize  was  within  their  grasp  ;  and 
when,  at  the  command  of  General  Hill,  two  orderlies 
arose  from  the  kneeling  group  and  demanded  their  sur- 
render, they  seemed  amazed  at  their  nearness  to  their 
enemies,  and  yielded  their  arms  without  resistance. 
Lieutenant  Morrison,  suspecting  from  their  approach 
tliat  the  Federalists  must  be  near  at  hand,  stepped  out 
into  the  road  to  examine,  and  by  the  light  of  the  moon 
saw  a  fiekl-piece  pointed  toward  him,  apparently  not 
more  than  a  hundred  3'ards  distant.  *  *  *  Return- 
ing hurriedly,  he  announced  that  the  enemy  were  plant- 
ing artillery  in  the  road,  and  that  the  General  must  be 
immediately  removed.  *  *  *  ■^^o  ambulance  or  lit- 
ter was  at  hand,  although  Captain  Wilbourne  had  also 
been  sent  to  seek  them  ;  and  the  necessity"  of  an  imme- 
diate removal  suggested  that  thej^  should  bear  the  Gene- 
ral away  in  their  arms.  To  this  he  replied  that  if  they 
would  assist  him  to  rise  he  could  walk  to  the  rear ;  and 
he  was  accordingly  raised  to  his  feet,  andj  leaning  upon 
13"  ^ 


290  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

the  shoulders  of  Major  Leigh  and  Lieutenant  Smith, 
went  slowl}'  out  into  the  highway  and  toward  his  troops. 
The  party  was  now  met  by  a  litter,  which  some  one  had 
sent  from  the  rear ;  and  Ihe  General  was  placed  upon  it 
and  borne  along  by  two  soldiers  and  Lieutenants  Smith 
and  Morrison.  As  they  were  placing  him  uj^on  it,  the 
enemy  fired  a  volley  of  canister-shot  up  the  road,  which 
passed  over  their  heads.  But  thej'  had  proceeded  only  ' 
a  few  steps  before  the  discharge  was  repeated  with  a 
more  accurate  aim.  One  of  the  soldiers  bearing  the  lit- 
ter was  struck  down,  severely  wounded ;  and  had  not 
Major  Leigh,  who  was  walking  beside  it,  broken  his 
fall,  the  Geiieral  would  have  been  precipitated  to  the 
ground. 

"  He  was  placed  again  upon  the  earth ;  and  the  cause- 
way  was  now  swept  by  a  hurricane  of  projectiles  of  every 
species,  before  which  it  seemed  that  no  living  thing  could 
survive.  The  bearers  of  the  litter,  and  all  the  attend- 
ants, excepting  Major  Leigh  and  the  General's  two  aides, 
left  him,  and  fled  into  the  woods  on  either  hand,  to  es- 
cape the  fatal  tempest ;  while  the  sufferer  lay  along  the 
road,  with  his  feet  to  the  foe,  exposed  to  all  its  fury.  It 
was  now  that  his  three  faithful  attendants  displayed  a 
heroic  fidelity  which  deserves  to  go  down  with  the  im- 
mortal name  of  Jackson  to  future  ages.  Disdaining  to 
save  their  lives  by  deserting  their  chief,  they  lay  down 
beside  him  in  the  causeway,  and  sought  to  pfotect  him 
as  far  as  possible  with  their  bodies.  On  one  side  was 
Major  Leigh,  and  on  the  other  Lieutenant  Smith.  Gen. 
Jackson  struggled  violently  to  rise,  as  though  to  endeavor 
to  leave  the  road ;  but  Smith  threw  his  arm  over  him, 
and  with  friendly  force  held  him  to  the  earth,  saying, 
'  Sir,  you  must  lie  still ;  it  will  cost  you  your  life  to  rise.' 
He  speedil3'^  acquiesced,  and  lay  quiet ;  but  not  one  of , 
the  four  hoped  to  escape  alive.  Yet,  almost  by  miracle, 
they  were  unharmed ;  and,  after  a  few  moments,  the 
Federalists,  having  cleared  the  road  of  all  except  this 


SPRING  OF   1863.  291 

little  party,  ceased  to  fire  along  it,  and  directed  their 
aim  to  another  quarter." 

They  took  advantage  of  the  lull  in  the  Federal  fire, 
and,  with  their  sad  burden,  moved  carefully  along  the 
ditch  at  the  margin  of  the  road.  Troops  were  hurrying 
to  the  front,  and  fearing  that  the  wounded  General  would 
be  recognized  by  his  men,  the  party  moved  farther  into 
the  thicket.  They  soon  met  General  Pender,  who  recog- 
nized Jackson,  and  expressed  his  deep  sj'^mpathy  for  the 
sufferer,  and  added,  "  My  men  are  thrown  into  such  con- 
fusion by  this  fire  that  I  fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  hold 
my  ground."  Jackson  replied  instantly  in  a  feeble  voice, 
but  with  his  well-known  decision,  "  General  Pender,  you 
7uust  keep  3'our  men  together,  and  hold  your  ground." 
This  was  the  last  order  of  Jackson. 

The  party  made  their  way  through  the  tangled  brush- 
wood and  thickets  as  well  as  they  could  towards  the  rear. 
The  fire  of  the  enemy  re-opened,  and  in  hurrying  on  the 
clothes  of  the  wounded  man  were  torn,  and  even  his  face 
lacerated  by  the  stiff  twigs  and  branches.  Unfortunatelj^ 
one  of  the  litter-bearers  fell,  and  the  General  was  thrown 
upon  the  ground  and  painfully  bruised.  He  lay  upon 
his  mangled  arm,  from  which  the  blood  began  to  flow 
freelJ^  When  his  men  lifted  him  up  a  groan  broke  from 
him — the  onl}'^  complaint  in  all  the  terrible  scene.  Lieu- 
tenant Smith,  fearing  he  would  die  on  the  spot,  said, 
"  General,  are  j'^ou  much  hurt  ?"  To  which  he  replied, 
"No,  Mr.  Smith;  don't  trouble  yourself  about  me." 
After  bearing  him  half  a  mile  farther,  most  of  the  way 
under  a  shower  of  shot  and  shell,  they  reached  an  am- 
bulance, in  which  his  chief  of  artiller}^  Col.  Crutchfield, 
lay  wounded.  Dr.  McGuire,  Jackson's  chief  surgeon, 
soon  joined  them,  and  proceeded  at  once  to  examine  the 
General's  wounds.  He  found  him  almost  pulseless,  but 
the  copious  bleeding  had  ceased.  Stimulants  were  freely 
used ;  under  their  influence  he  revived,  and  the  party 
moved  on  to  the  field  hospital  near  Wilderness  Run.    To 


292  THE  GREAT  REVIVAL. 

the  anxious  questions  of  his  surgeon,  the  General  said 
that  he  now  felt  better,  but  that  several  times  as  they 
came  out  of  the  battle  he  had  felt  as  though  he  were 
about  to  die. 

The  heroic  calmness  of  Jackson  was  well  displaj'cd 
when  he  was  struck  down  by  the  cruel  volley  from  his 
own  men.  To  the  quick,  anxious  questions  of  his  friends 
he  replied  with  great  composure,  "  I  believe  ray  arm  is 
broken,"  and  "It  gives  me  severe  pain."  When  asked 
to  have  his  right  hand  bound  up,  he  said,  "  No,  never 
mind ;  it  is  a  trifle."  And  yet  this  right  hand  that  had 
so  often  pointed  out  the  path  of  victory  to  his  men  was 
almost  shattered  to  pieces — two  bones  of  it  were  broken 
and  a  bullet  had  almost  gone  through  the  palm.  Witli- 
out  a  particle  of  passion,  he  said,  "All  my  wounds  are 
by  my  own  men,"  and  said  they  were  all  received  at  the 
same  moment.  He  was  extremely  anxious  that  his  sol- 
diers should  not  know  that  he  was  wounded.  He  said, 
"  Tell  them  simply  that  you  have  a  wounded  Confede- 
rate officer."  He  would  have  his  own  name  concealed, 
but  no  untruth  told.  As  he  was  led  along  man}^  of  the 
men  asked,  "Whom  have  you  there?"  and  some  tried 
to  see  his  face;  Captain  Wilbourne  kept  them  off ;  but 
one  or  two  of  his  veterans  caught  a  glimpse  of  his  face, 
and  exclaimed,  "Great  God!  it  is  General  Jackson." 
The  sad  news  spread  rapidly  along  the  lines ;  but  the 
men  believed  his  wounds  to  be  slight,  and  their  sorrow 
only  increased  their  courage. 

At  midnight,  in  the  field  hospital,  a  consultation  of 
surgeons  was  held,  composed  of  Drs.  McGuire,  Cole- 
man, Black,  and  Wall.  Long  and  anxiously  they  watch- 
ed the  pulse  for  evidences  of  reaction  ;  at  length  it  came, 
and  with  it  hope.  The  examination  showed  the  neces- 
sity for  immediate  amputation  of  the  left  arm.  Dr. 
McGuire  explained  this  to  him,  and  the  General  replied, 
"  Doctor,  do  for  me  whatever  you  think  best ;  I  am  re- 
signed to  whatever  is  necessary."     He  was  placed  under 


SPRING  OF  1863.  293 

the  influence  of  chloroform,  and  the  mangled  arm  cut  off 
by  Dr.  McGuire,  and  the  ball  extracted  from  the  right 
hand.  The  General  seemed  insensible  to  pain,  and  said 
dreamily,  "  Dr.  McGuire,  I  am  lying  very  comfortably." 
He  then  sunk  into  a  quiet  sleep,  and  in  half  an  hour  was 
awaked  to  receive  nourishment.  He  awoke  promptl}'' 
when  called,  and  took  a  cup  of  coffee  with  relish,  saying 
it  was  good  and  refreshing.  This  was  the  first  nourish- 
ment he  had  taken  since  Friday  evening,  and  it  was  now 
Saturday  midnight.  When  he  fell,  and  his  field-glass 
and  haversack  were  removed,  the  latter  contained  no 
rations,  but  onl}^  a  few  official  papers  and  two  gospel  tracts. 
After  taking  coffee  he  conversed  freely  with  the  friends 
around  him,  and  asked  particularly  whether  he  had  said 
anything  when  under  the  influence  of  chloroform,  and 
added:  "I  have  always  thought  it  wrong  to  administer 
chloroform  in  cases  where  there  is  a  probability  of  im- 
mediate death.  But  it  was,  I  think,  the  most  delightful 
physical  sensation  I  ever  enjoyed.  I  had  enough  con- 
sciousness to  know  what  was  doing ;  and  at  one  time  I 
thought  I  heard  the  most  delightful  music  that  ever 
greeted  xwy  ears.  I  believe  it  was  the  sawing  of  the 
bone.  But  I  should  dislike  above  all  things  to  enter 
eternity  in  such  a  condition."  His  attendants  now  urged 
him  to  suspend  conversation  and  to  seek  repose  in  sleep. 
He  ceased  talking,  and  soon  fell  into  a  deep  and  quiet 
sleep,  which  lasted  until  9  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

The  manner  and  language  of  General  Lee  when  he 
received  the  news  of  the  wounding  of  Jackson  were 
characteristic  of  that  great  and  good  man.  Captains 
Hotchkiss  and  Wilbourne  were  sent  to  inform  him  of 
the  result  of  the  brilliant  flank  movement  and  of  the  fall 
of  Jackson.  The}'^  found  the  General  lying  upon  the 
ground  under  a  thick  pine  tree.  It  was  before  day-, 
break,  but  he  at  once  asked  them  for  the  news  of  the 
battle.  They  described  the  battle,  and  informed  him 
that  Jackson  was  seriously  wounded.     The  General  was 


294  TIIE    GREAT   REVIVAL. 

greatly  moved  at  this,  and  after  a  pause,  in  which  he 
seemed  to  be  struggling  with  his  emotions,  said  :  "  Ah  ! 
any  victory  is  dearly  bought  which  deprives  us  of  the 
services  of  Jackson,  even  for  a  short  time."  He  then 
dictated  the  following  note  to  Jackson  : 

"  General, — I  have  just  received  your  note,  informing 
me  that  j'oii  are  wounded.  I  cannot  express  my  regret 
at  the  occurrence.  Could  I  have  directed  events,  I 
should  have  chosen,  for  the  good  of  the  country,  to  have 
been  disabled  in  your  stead. 

"  I  congratulate  you  upon  the  victory  which  is  due  to 
your  skill  and  energy. 

"  Most  truly  yours, 
"(Signed)  R.  E.  Lee,  General." 

Our  readers  know  the  result  of  the  great  battle  of 
Chancellorsville — so  nobly  begun  by  Jackson,  and  so 
bravely  won  by  the  Confederate  army.  Leaving  the 
field  of  blood,  let  us  go  to  the  bedside  of  the  wounded 
General.  When  he  awoke  from  his  long  and  quiet  sleep 
on  Sabbath  morning,  the  sounds  of  a  furious  cannonade 
assured  him  that  the  battle  was  raging,  but  his  pulse 
did  not  quicken  nor  his  soul  grow  restless.  When  Rev. 
Mr.  Lacy,  his  chaplain,  entered  the  tent  where  he  lay, 
he  exclaimed  :  "  Oh,  General !  what  a  calamity  !"  Jack- 
son thanked  him  with  his  usual  courtesy,  and  added, 
with  an  unusual  freedom  :  "  You  see  me  severely  wound- 
ed, but  not  depressed  ;  not  unhapp)^  I  believe  it  has 
been  done  according  to  God's  holy  will,  and  I  acquiesce 
entirely  in  it.  You  ma}'-  think  it  strange,  but  you  never 
saw  me  more  perfectly  contented  than  I  am  to-day ;  for 
I  am  sure  that  my  Heavenly  Father  designs  this  afflic- 
tion for  my  good.  I  am  perfectly  satisfied,  that  either 
in  this  life,  or  in  that  which  is  to  come,  I  shall  discover 
that  what  is  now  regarded  as  a  calamity  is  a  blessing. 
And  if  it  appears  a  great  calamity  (as  it  surely  will  be  a 
great  inconvenience  to  be  deprived  of  my  arm),  it  will 


spniNG  OF  1863.  295 

result  in  a  great  blessing.     I  can  wait  until  God,  in  his 
own  time,  shall  make  known  to  me  the  object  he  has  in 
thus  afflicting  me.     But  why  should  I  not  rather  rejoice 
in  it  as  a  blessing,  and  not  look  on  it  as  a  calamity  at 
all  ?     If  it  were  in  my  power  to  replace  my  arm,  I  would 
not  dare  to  do  it  unless  I  could  know  it  was  the  will  of 
my  Heavenly  Father."     He  referred  to  his  feelings  at 
the  time  of  his  fall,  and  said  he  was  in  possession  of 
perfect  peace  while  expecting  death.     "  It  has  been,"  he 
said,  "  a  precious  experience  to  me  that  I  was  brought 
face  to  face  with  death  and  found  all  was  well.     I  then 
learned  an  important  lesson,  that  one  who  has  been  the 
subject  of  converting  grace,  and  is  the  child  of  God, 
can,   in   the    midst  of   the    severest   sufferings,    fix   the 
thoughts  upon    God    and    heavenly  things,  and   derive 
great  comfort  and  peace  ;  but,  that  one  who  had  never 
made  his  peace  with  God  would  be  unable»to  control  his 
mind,  under  such  sufferings,  so  as  to  understand  properly 
the  way  of  salvation  and  repent  and  believe  on  Christ. 
I  felt  that  if  I  had  neglected  the  salvation  of  my  soul 
before,  it  would  have  been  too  late  then."     Dr.  Dabney 
says  these  are  nearl}'^  the  exact  words  used  by  General 
Jackson.     They  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  mind  of 
the   minister   to   whom    they   were    addressed,    and    he 
speedily  committed  them  to  writing.     After  this  conver- 
sation, the  General,  at  the  request  of  his  physician,  re- 
mained quiet  for  several  hours.     About  midday  Captain 
Douglass  came  from  the  field  with  news  of  the  victory. 
He  communicated  to  Lieutenant  Smith  such  facts  as  he 
thought  would  interest  the  General.     To  the  narrative, 
as  repeated  to  him  b}'  Lieutenant  Smith,  Jackson  lis- 
tened with  fixed  attention.     The  part  taken  in  the  fight 
by  his  old   Stonewall  Brigade  deeply  affected  him.     In 
the  very  crisis  of  the  battle  General   Stuart  rode  up  to 
them,  and,  pointing  to  the  work  he  wished  them  to  do, 
gave  the  order  :    "  Charge,  and  remember  Jacksoji !"    They 
sprang  forward  at  the  word,  drove  before  them  three 


296  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

times  their  own  number,  and  decided  the  day.  Tlie 
General  listened  eagerly,  and,  trying  to  repress  his 
tears,  said  :  "It  was  just  like  them  to  do  so;  just  like 
them.  They  are  a  noble  body  of  men."  Smith  said  : 
"They  have  indeed  behaved  splendidly;  but  j'ou  can 
easily  suppose,  General,  that  it  was  not  without  a  loss 
of  man)'  valuable  men."  Jackson  asked  quickly  :  "  Have 
you  heard  of  any  one  that  is  killed?"  "Yes,  sir,"  said 
Smith ;  "  I  am  very  sorry  to  say  they  have  lost  their 
commander."  He  exclaimed  :  "  Paxton  ?  Paxton  ?" 
Smith — "  Yes,  sir ;  he  has  fallen."  He  said  no  more  ; 
but  turned  his  face  to  the  wall,  and  seemed  to  be  labor- 
ing to  suppress  his  emotion.  Some  moments  after  this, 
Smith  remarked  that  Rev.  Mr.  Lacy  had  talked  with 
General  Paxton  about  his  religious  interests,  and  be- 
lieved him  to  be  a  converted  man.  To  this  Jackson  re- 
plied :  "That's  good  ;  that's  good."  It  is  stated  by  Dr. 
Dabne3%  from  whose  Life  of  Jackson  we  are  indebted 
for  most  of  the  facts  connected  with  these  sad  scenes, 
that  after  Paxton  had  placed  his  brigade  in  position  he 
spent  the  few  moments  that  were  left  him  in  reading  his 
New  Testament,  and  when  ordered  forward,  he  replaced 
the  book  in  his  pocket  and  exhorted  his  men  to  do  their 
duty  and  to  entrust  their  safet}'  into  the  hands  of  the 
Almighty. 

The  General  now  directed  Lieutenant  Smith  to  write 
a  note  which  he  dictated  to  General  Lee,  giving  an  ac- 
count of  his  wounds  and  congratulating  the  Commander- 
in-Chief  on  the  great  victory  which  God  had  given  to 
his  army.  To  this  note  General  Lee  sent  the  noble  re- 
ply already  given.  When  the  note  was  read  to  him  he 
said  :  "  General  Lee  is  ver}^  kind ;  but  he  should  give 
the  glory  to  God."  In  speaking  some  time  after  this  of 
the  battle,  he  said  :  "  Our  movement  yesterday  was  a 
great  success ;  I  think,  the  most  successful  military 
movement  of  my  life.  But  I  expect  to  receive  far  more 
credit  for  it  than  I  deserve.     Most  men  will  think  that  I 


SPKIKG    OF    1863.  21I7 

liad  planned  it  all  from  the  first ;  but  it  was  not  so — I 
simply  took  advantage  of  circumstances  as  lliey  were 
presented  to  me  in  the  providence  of  God.  I  feel  that 
his  hand  led  me.     Let  us  give  him  all  the  glory." 

General  Lee,  thinking  the  Wilderness  exposed  to  the 
incursions  of  the  Federal  cavalry,  sent  word  that  Jack- 
son should  be  removed  as  soon  as  possible  to  Guinea's 
Station.  On  Monday  he  seemed  so  much  better  that 
Dr.  McGuire  determined  to  begin  the  journey.  The 
road  was  cleared  of  obstructions  by  engineers  so  as  to 
avoid  jolting  of  the  ambulance.  The  General  was  bright 
and  cheerful  during  the  twenty-five  miles'  travel,  and 
just  at  nightfall  the  party  reached  the  house  of  Mr. 
Chandler,  near  the  station.  He  was  placed  in  bed,  and, 
after  taking  supper,  spent  a  quiet  night.  During  the 
journey  he  spoke  freely  of  the  war,  and  made  kind  and 
special  reference  to  the  Stonewall  Brigade.  In  refer- 
ence to  a  purpose  of  that  noble  band  to  petition  the 
Government  to  allow  them  to  assume  this  title  as  their 
own,  he  said :  "  They  are  a  noble  body  of  patriots ; 
when  this  war  is  ended,  the  survivors  will  be  proud  to 
say,  'I  was  a  member  of  the  old  Stonewall  Brigade.' 
The  Government  ought  certainly  to  accede  to  their  re- 
quest, and  authorize  them  to  assume  this  title ;  for  it 
was  fairly  earned."  He  then  added  that  "the  name 
Stonewall  ought  to  be  attached  wholly  to  the  men  of  the 
brigade,  and  not  to  him ;  for  it  was  their  steadfast  hero- 
ism which  had  earned  it  at  first  Manassas."  In  rej^ly  to 
a  question  as  to  the  wisdom  of  General  Hooker's  plan 
of  battle,  Jie  said  :  "  It  was,  in  the  main,  a  good  concep- 
tion, an  excellent  plan ;  but  he  should  not  have  sent 
away  his  cavalry ;  that  was  his  great  blunder.  It  was 
that  which  enabled  me  to  turn  him,  without  his  being 
aware  of  it,  and  to  take  him  b}'  his  rear." 

After  a  day  or  two  the  bright  hopes  of  his  recovery- 
began  to  fade.  His  pain  and  restlessness  increased. 
Opiates  were  administered  to  quiet  his  nerves  and  to  in- 


298  THE    GUEAT    RimA'AL, 

duce  sleep.  Under  their  influence  his  sleep  was  dis- 
turbed by  dreams.  He  was  told  on  Tuesday  that  Hooker 
was  entrenched  near  Chancellorsville.  He  exclaimed  : 
"That  is  bad — ver}'  bad."  Falling  asleep  soon  after,  he 
called  out :  "  Major  Pendleton,  send  in  and  see  if  there 
is  not  higher  ground  back  of  Chancellorsville."  He  was 
again  in  the  smoke  and  shock  of  battle.  On  Thursday 
Mrs.  Jackson  reached  him,  from  Richmond.  She  was 
deterred  from  coming  earlier  by  the  Federal  cavalry 
which  infested  the  line  of  the  railroad.  When  she  ar- 
rived the  General  was  worse,  and  the  physicians  were 
doing  all  in  their  power  to  arrest  pneumonia,  which  had 
been  developed  the  day  before  in  an  alarming  form. 
Rev.  Mr.  Lac}^  went  to  the  army  to  bring  the  General's 
family  physician.  Dr.  Morrison,  and,  while  seeking,  called 
on  General  Lee  and  informed  him  of  the  dangerous  con- 
dition of  his  great  Lieutenant.  The  great  commander 
expressed  his  hope  that  God  would  not  take  Jackson 
from  him  at  such  a  time,  and  added :  "  Give  him  my  af- 
fectionate regards,  and  tell  him  to  make  haste  and  get 
well,  and  come  back  to  me  as  soon  as  he  can.  He  has 
lost  his  left  arm — but  I  have  lost  mj'^  right  arm." 

When  Jackson  was  informed  that  his  wife  and  infant 
child  had  arrived,  he  expressed  great  pleasure.  As  Mrs. 
Jackson  came  in  she  saw  a  sad  change  in  her  noble  hus- 
band. "  His  features,"  says  Dr.  Dabney,  "  were  shrunk- 
en by  the  prostration  of  his  energies,  and  were  marked 
by  two  or  three  angry  scars,  where  they  had  been  torn 
as  his  horse  rushed  through  the  brushwood.  His  cheeks 
burned  with  a  swarthy  and  almost  livid  flush.  Yet  his 
face  beamed  with  joy  when,  awakening  from  his  dis- 
turbed slumber,  he  saw  her  near  him.  When  he  noted 
the  shade  of  woful  apprehension  which  passed  over  her 
face,  he  said  tenderly  :  '  Now,  Anna,  cheer  up,  and  don't 
wear  a  long  face  ;  you  know  I  love  a  bright  face  in  a 
sick  room.'  With  a  spirit  as  truly  courageous  as  that  of 
her  warrior  husband  she  commanded  her  grief,  and  ad- 


SPRING  OF  1863.  299 

dressed  herself  cheerfully  to  the  ministry  of  love.  Many 
a  tear  was  poured  out  over  her  unconscious  suckling; 
yet  she  returned  to  his  sick-room  always  with  a  serene 
countenance ;  and  continued  to  be,  until  the  clouds  of 
death  descended  upon  his  vision,  what  he  had  delighted 
to  call  her  in  the  hours  of  prosperity,  his  '  Sunshine.' 
He  now  added,  with  reference  to  his  impaired  hearing, 
that  he  wished  her  to  speak  distinctly  while  in  his 
room,  because  he  wanted  to  hear  every  word  she 
said." 

From  this  time  he  began  to  grow  rapidly  worse,  and  it 
became  apparent  to  all  that  the  life  of  the  hero  was  near 
its  close.  When  he  was  spoken  to  by  any  one  he  knew, 
he  roused  himself;  but  generally  he  lay  with  closed  eyes 
engaged  in  silent  prayer.  On  Thursday  night  Dr.  Mor- 
rison aroused  him  to  take  some  medicine,  saying:  "Will 
you  take  this.  General  ?"  He  looked  at  him  steadily, 
and  said  :  "  Do  your  dut3%"  and  again  repeated  :  "  Do 
your  duty."  His  thoughts  in  delirium  wandered  off  to 
the  field  of  battle,  and  he  fancied  his  legions  following 
him  to  victory.  At  one  time  he  said,  with  his  quick, 
sharp  battle-tone  :  "A.  P.  Hill,  prepare  for  action  !"  and, 
with  the  welfare  of  his  soldiers  still  in  mind,  he  said 
several  times  :  "  Tell  Major  Hawks  to  send  forward  pro- 
visions for  the  troops." 

Friday  morning  Dr.  Morrison  expressed  to  him  his 
fear  of  a  fatal  issue  of  his  case.  He  dissented,  and 
said  in  these  precise  words,  as  Dr.  Dabney  tells  ns  :  "  I 
am  not  afraid  to  die  ;  I  am  willing  to  abide  by  the  will 
of  my  Heavenly  Father.  But  I  do  not  believe  that  I 
shall  die  at  this  time  ;  I  am  persuaded  the  Almighty  has 
yet  a  work  for  me  to  perform."  He  asked  that  Dr. 
McGuire  should  be  called  in,  and  his  case  be  referred  t  j 
him.  He  agreed  with  Dr.  Morrison  in  opinion.  But 
Jackson  was  still  steadfast  in  the  belief  that  he  would 
recover.  As  late  as  Saturday  night,  when  Dr.  Morrison 
again   expressed   his   fears,  he   dissented,   saying :    '•  I 


300  THE    GREAT    RE^^VAL. 

don't  think  so;  I  think  I  shall  be  better  by  morn- 
ing." 

In  the  midst  of  his  severe  sufferings  his  wife  proposed 
to  interest  him,  and,  if  possible,  to  soothe  his  pains,  by 
reading  from  the  Psalms ;  he  at  first  said  he  was  in  too 
much  pain  to  attend  to  them,  but  a  moment  after  added  : 
"Yes,  we  must  never  refuse  tliat ;  get  the  Bible  and  read 
them," 

On  Saturday  evening  he  desired  to  see  his  chaplain, 
and  inquired  of  him  whether  he  was  engaged  in  efforts 
to  secure  the  proper  observance  of  Sabbath  in  camp — a 
subject  in  which  he  had  long  been  deeply  interested. 
On  being  assured  that  he  was,  he  seemed  pleased,  and 
conversed  at  some  length  on  the  proper  observance  of 
the  hoh'  day.  As  the  night  came  on  and  deepened,  he 
suffered  more  intense  pain,  and  called  upon  his  wife  to 
sing  some  Psalms.  She,  with  the  assistance  of  his 
friends  grouped  around  his  bed,  sung  several  of  his  fa- 
vorite pieces.  He  spent  a  restless  night,  tossing  in  pain 
upon  his  bed,  and  all  the  relief  he  felt  was  from  spong- 
ing his  brow  with  cold  water. 

Sunday,  May  10th,  was  ushered  in — the  last  day  of 
Jackson's  earthly  life.  He  had  often  said  he  would  pre- 
fer to  die  on  the  Sabbath.  His  wish  was  to  be  fulfilled. 
His  end  see«ied  so  near  that  Dr.  Morrison  felt  it  due  to 
inform  Mrs.  Jackson  of  his  condition.  Mrs.  Jackson, 
knowing  that  he  had  often  said  he  would  wish  to  be  noti- 
fied of  his  approaching  end,  determined  to  break  the  sad 
tidings  to  him.  He  was  lying  almost  in  a  state  of  stu- 
por ;  and,  when  aroused  by  his  wife,  seemed  scarcely  to 
comprehend  the  nature  of  her  announcement.  She  said 
several  times  :  •'  Do  j-ou  know  the  doctors  sa^'  you  must 
very  soon  be  in  heaven  ?  Do  j'ou  not  feel  willing  to  ac- 
quiesce in  God's  allotment  if  he  wills  j-ou  to  go  to- 
day ?"  He  looked  up  into  her  face  and  said  :  "  I  prefer 
it."  Then  he  repeated,  with  emphasis :  "  /  prefer  it" 
She  said  :  "  Well,  before  this  day  closes  you  will  be  with 


SPRING  OF   1863.  301 

the  blessed  Saviour  in  his  glory."  He  replied  distinctly 
and  deliberately  :  "  I  will  be  an  infinite  gainer  to  be 
translated." 

When  Colonel  Pendleton  entered  the  room  the  dying 
General  greeted  him  -with  his  usual  courtesj^  and  asked 
who  was  preaching  at  headquarters.  When  told  that  the 
chaplain  was  performing  that  duty  he  seemed  pleased. 
Mrs.  Jackson  asked  him  if  he  felt  the  Saviour  present 
with  him.  To  this  he  answered,  "Yes."  She  asked  him 
if  it  was  his  wish  that  she  and  her  little  daughter  should 
live  with  her  father,  Dr.  Morrison.  He  said,  "  Yes,  you 
have  a  kind  and  good  father ;  but  no  one  is  so  kind  and 
good  as  your  Heavenly  Father."  She  then  asked  him 
where  he  would  prefer  to  be  buried.  To  this  he  gave  no 
reply,  but  when  she  suggested  Lexington  he  said,  "  Yes, 
in  Lexington."  His  little  infant  girl  was  now  brought 
into  the  room  ;  as  soon  as  he  saw  her  he  smiled,  and, 
motioning  toward  her,  said,  "  Little  darling  !"  She  was 
placed  on  the  bed  near  him,  and  he  tried  to  caress  her 
with  his  wounded  hand.  He  continued  to  toy  with  her 
until  he  sunk  into  unconsciousness  and  the  cloud  of 
death  settled  down  upon  him.  He  fell  into  an  unquiet 
sleep,  in  which  the  attendants  noticed  his  efforts  to 
speak ;  at  length  he  said,  "  Let  us  pass  over  the  river 
and  rest  under  the  shade  of  the  trees."  These  were  the 
last  words  of  Jackson. 

His  wife,  now  overcome  with  grief,  bowed  down  over 
him ;  her  tears  fell  fast  on  his  face,  and,  kissing  the  cold 
lips,  she  exclaimed,  "Oh,  Doctor,  cannot  you  do  some- 
thing more  ?"  Her  voice  recalled  him  to  consciousness 
once  more.  He  opened  his  eyes,  gazed  upon  her  with  a 
look  of  intelligence  and  love,  and  then  closed  them  for- 
ever. A  few  more  labored  breathings,  and  the  hero  was 
dead. 

Dr.  Dabney  relates  a  touching  tribute  to  Jackson.  A 
little  daughter  of  Mrs.  Chandler,  whose  heart  the  General 
had  won  in  former  visits  to  the  family,  had  followed  her 
13a 


802  THE    GREAT    RE\ayAL. 

mother  about  the  house  and  noticed  that  she  often  wiped 
the  tears  from  her  eyes.  At  length  she  asked,  "  Mamma, 
will  General  Jackson  die  ?"  She  was  told  that  the  doc- 
tors said  they  could  not  save  him,  and  he  was  going  t» 
die.  Fixing  her  eyes  on  her  mother  with  a  most  earnest 
l»ok,  she  said,  "Oh,  I  wish  God  would  let  me  die  for 
him,  for  if  I  did  you  would  cry  for  me  ;  but  if  he  dies 
all  the  people  in  the  country  will  cr^'." 

On  this  Sabbath,  while  the  life  of  the  hero  was  closing, 
the  usual  services  were  held  at  the  quarters  of  the  staff 
,of  his  corps.  A  great  congregation  assembled.  Gene- 
ral Lee,  and  a  brilliant  array  of  his  most  famous  officers, 
came  to  join  in  public  worship.  As  the  Commander-in- 
Chief  saw  General  Jackson's  chaplain  approaching,  he 
met  him  and  anxiously  inquired  after  his  wounded  friend. 
He  was  told  there  was  little  or  no  hope.  With  great 
feeling  General  Lee  replied,  "  Surel}'  General  Jackson 
must  recover.  God  will  not  take  him  from  us,  now  that 
we  need  him  so  much.  Surely  he  will  be  spared  to  us, 
in  answer  to  the  many  pra^^ers  which  are  offered  for 
him."  He  added  afterwards,  "When  you  return  I  trust 
you  will  find  him  better.  When  a  suitable  occasion  offers 
give  him  my  Jove,  and  tell  him  I  wrestled  in  prayer  for 
him  last  night  as  I  never  pra^^ed,  I  believe,  for  myself."' 
The  great  man  then  turned  away  to  hide  his  emotion. 
The  most  fervent  prayers  were  offered  by  the  vast  con- 
gregation for  the  recovery  of  the  beloved  General,  but 
when  Rev.  Mr.  Lacy  returned  he  found  he  had  passed 
over  the  river. 

The  sad  event  was  flashed  all  over  the  country,  and 
strong  men  wept  like  children  as  they  read  the  mournful 
tidings.  The  body  of  the  hero  was  borne  to  Rich- 
mond, and  placed  in  the  hall  of  the  lower  house  ot 
Congress  in  the  State  Capitol,  where  thousands  gazed 
on  the  placid  features  of  the  warrior.  On  Thursday 
after  his  death  the  funeral  cortege  reached  Lexington, 
and  all  that  was  mortal  of  Jackson  was  laid  to  rest  in 


SPRING  OF  1863.  303 

the  beautiful  valley  in  which  he  had  gained  so  many 
victories. 

Our  space  will  not  allow  us  to  dwell  on  the  peculiar 
traits  of  this  singularh^  great  man.  One  or  two  illustra- 
tive incidents  we  will  give.  The  following  anecdote  was 
given  b}'  Rev.  Dr.  Lacy,  in  his  lecture  before  the  old 
command  of  the  hero,  on  the  Reminiscences  of  Jackson : 

"  *  *  *  I   had   often   heard  of  that 

indescribable  change  of  manner  and  appearance  which 
came  over  Jackson  when  the  war-bugle  summoned  him. 
I  therefore  watched  him  well.  Soon  couriers  were  seen 
dashing  in  every  direction  to  summons  out  the  army. 
That  usual  stooping,  meek,  thoughtful  man  was  no  longer 
before  me,  but  a  warrior,  his  e^'es  flashing,  and  through 
them  his  great  military  genius  beaming ;  his  form  ap- 
peared to  dilate,  he  appeared  to  comprehend  all,  and 
soon  he  was  ready  ;  the  servant  led  his  horse  to  the  tent, 
the  General  went  inside.  I  thought  I  would  speak  to 
him  before  he  went  forth.  As  I  approached,  the  faithful 
old  servant  motioned  me  to  stop,  be  silent — the  General 
was  at  prayer.  I  waited  sometime  ;  at  length  the  tent 
was  drawn  aside,  and  Jackson  stepped  forth.  Never 
shall  I  forget  the  serene  brightness  that  glowed  upon  his 
face.  He  onl}^  remarked,  as  he  bade  me  good-bye,  that 
'all  appears  well.'  He  had  held  communion  with  his 
God,  and  went  forth  to  victory.  This  was  but  an  index 
to  his  every-day  life.  During  our  stay  in  winter-quar- 
ters, from  my  own  tent  I  could  look  directly  upon  his. 
The  table  upon  which  he  set  his  candle  was  on  the  op- 
posite side  from  me,  and  each  night,  at  his  usual  bed- 
time, if  I  looked,  I  could  see  the  shadow  of  that  truly 
great  and  good  man  cast  upon  the  wall  of  the  tent  as 
he  was  bowed  in  pra^'er." 

In  a  funeral  discourse  commemorative  of  Jackson  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Dabne3\  the  following  incident  is  given : 

"  On  the  momentous  morning  of  Friday,  June  27th, 
1862,  as  the  different  corps  of  the  patriot  army  were 


804  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

moving  to  their  respective  posts,  to  fill  parts  in  the 
mighty  combination  of  their  chief,  after  Jaclison  had 
held  his  final  interview  with  him,  and  resumed  his  march 
for  his  position  at  Cold  Harbor,  his  command  was  mis- 
led, by  a  misconception  of  his  guides,  and  seemed  about 
to  mingle  with  and  confuse  another  part  of  our  forces. 
More  than  an  hour  of  seemingly  precious  time  was  ex- 
pended in  rectifying  this  mistake ;  while  the  booming 
of  cannon  in  the  front  told  us  that  the  struggle  had  be- 
gun, and  made  our  breasts  thrill  with  an  agony  of  sus- 
pense, lest  the  irreparable  hour  should  be  lost  b}^  our 
delay ;  for  we  had  still  many  miles  to  march.  When 
this  anxious  fear  was  suggested  privately  to  Jackson, 
he  answered,  with  a  calm  and  assured  countenance, 
'  No ;  let  us  trust  that  the  providence  of  our  God  will 
so  overrule  it  that  no  mischief  shall  result.'  And,  verily, 
no  mischief  did  result.  Providence  brought  us  precisely 
into  conjunction  with  the  bodies  with  which  we  were  to 
co-operate  ;  the  battle  was  joined  at  the  right  juncture ; 
and  by  the  time  the  stars  appeared,  the  right  wing  of 
the  enemy,  with  which  he  was  appointed  to  deal,  was 
hurled  in  utter  rout  across  the  river.  More  than  once, 
when  sent  to  bring  one  of  his  old  fighting  brigades  into 
action,  I  had  noticed  him  sitting  motionless  upon  his 
horse,  with  his  right  hand  uplifted,  while  the  war-worn 
column  poured  on  in  stern  silence  close  by  his  side.  At 
first  it  did  not  appear  whetlier  it  was  mere  abstrac- 
tion of  thought  or  a  posture  to  relieve  his  fatigue. 
But  at  Fort  Republic,  I  saw  it  again ;  and  watching  him 
more  narrowly,  was  convinced  by  his  closed  eyes  and 
moving  lips  that  he  was  wrestling  in  silent  prayer.  I 
thought  tliat  I  could  surmise  what  was  then  passing 
tiirough  his  fervent  soul ;  the  sovereignty  of  that  Provi- 
dence which  worketh  all  things  after  the  counsel  of  his 
own  will,  and  giveth  the  battle  not  to  the  strong  nor  the 
race  to  the  swift;  his  own  fearful  responsibility,  and 
aeed  of  that  counsel  and  sound  wisdom  which  God  alone 


SPRING  OF  1863.  305 

can  give  ;  the  crisis  of  his  beloved  countr}^  and  the 
balance  trembling  between  defeat  and  victory ;  the  pre- 
cious lives  of  his  veterans,  which  the  inexorable  neces- 
sities of  war  compelled  him  to  jeopardize  ;  the  immortal 
souls  passing  to  their  account,  perhaps  unprepared  ;  the 
widowhood  and  orplianage  which  might  result  from  the 
orders  he  had  just  been  compelled  to  issue.  And  as  his 
beloved  men  swept  by  him  to  the  front,  into  the  storm 
of  shot,  doubtless  his  great  heart,  as  tender  as  it  was 
resolute,  j'earned  over  them  in  unutterable  longings  and 
intercessions,  that  "  the  Almigiity  would  cover  them 
with  his  feathers,  and  that  his  truth  might  be  their  shield 
and  buckler. 

"  Surely,  the  moral  grandeur  of  this  scene  was  akin 
to  that  when  Moses  stood  upon  the  Mount  of  God  and 
lifted  up  his  hands  while  Israel  prevailed  against  Ame- 
lek !  And  what  soldier  would  not  desire  to  have  the 
shield  of  such  prayers  under  which  to  fight  ?  Were  they 
not  a  more  powerful  element  of  success  than  the  artil- 
lery or  the  bayonets  of  the  Stonewall  Brigade  ?" 

The  following  beautiful  tribute  to  General  Jackson 
was  published  in  the  New  York  Citizen,  and  is  said  to 
be  from  the  pen  of  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  United 
States  N«vy : 

STOJfEWAMi  JACKSON. 

3e  sleeps  all  quietly  and  cold. 
Beneath  the  soil  that  gave  him  birth ; 

Then  break  his  battle-brand  in  twain, 
And  lay  it  with  him  in  the  earth. 

No  more  at  midnight  shall  be  urged 
His  toilsome  march  among  the  pines  ; 

Nor  heard  upon  the  morning  air 
The  war-shout  of  his  charging  lines. 

Cold  is  the  eye  whose  meteor-gleara 
Flashed  hope  on  all  within  its  light  • 

And  still  the  voice  that,  trumpet-toned. 
Rang  through  the  serried  ranks  of  fight. 


306  TIIE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

No  more  for  him  shall  camions  park, 
Or  tents  gleam  white  upon  the  plain  ; 

And  where  his  eatnp-Hres  blazed  of  yore, 
Brown  reapers  laugh  amid  the  grain  ! 

No  more  above  his  narrow  bed 

Shall  sound  the  tread  of  marching  feet, 

The  rifle  volley,  and  the  clash 
Of  sabres  when  the  foemen  meet. 

And,  though  the  winds  of  autumn  rave, 
And  winter-snows  fall  thick  and  deep 

About  his  breast — they  cannot  move 
The  quiet  of  his  dreamless  sleep. 

We  may  not  raise  a  marble  shaft 
Above  the  heart  that  now  is  dust; 

But  nature,  like  a  mother  fond. 
Will  ne'er  forget  her  sacred  trust. 

Young  April,  o'er  his  lowly  mound. 
Shall  shake  the  violets  from  her  hair ; 

And  glorious  June,  with  fervid  kiss. 
Shall  bid  the  roses  blossom  there. 

And  round  about  the  droning  bee. 
Wit!)  drowsy  hum,  shall  come  and  go; 

While  west  winds,  all  the  live-long  day, 
Shall  murmur  dirges  soft  and  low. 

The  warrior's  stormy  fate  is  o'er. 
The  midnight  gloom  hath  passed  away; 

And,  like  a  glor\'  from  the  East, 

Breaks  the  first  light  of  Freedom's  day  1 

And  white-winged  Peace  o'er  all  the  land. 
Broods  like  a  dove  upon  her  nest ; 

While  iron  War,  with  slaughter  gorged. 
At  length  hath  laid  him  down  to  rest. 

And  where  we  won  our  onward  way 

With  fire  and  steel — through  yonder  wood- 

The  blackbird  whistles,  and  the  quail 
Gives  answer  to  her  timid  brood. 


SPRING  OF  18G3.  807 

Yet  oft  in  dreams  his  fierce  brigade 
Shall  see  the  form  they  followed  far, 

Still  leading  in  the  furthest  van — 
A  landmark  in  the  clouds  of  war  ! 

And  oft,  when  white-haired  grandsires  tell 

Of  bloodj^  struggles  past  and  gone. 
The  children  at  their  knees  will  hear 

How  Jackson  led  his  columns  on  I 

The  announcement  to  the  army  of  the  death  of  Jack- 
son by  General  Lee  contains  a  fitting  tribute  by  one 
who,  be^'ond  all  others,  knew  his  value  as  a  soldier.  In 
tears  the  veterans  read  these  words  from  their  great 
leader : 

"With  deep  grief  the  Commanding  General  announces 
to  the  army  the  death  of  General  Jackson.  He  expired 
on  Sunday,  the  lOtb,  at  31  P.  M.  The  daring,  skill,  and 
energy  of  this  great  and  good  soldier  are,  by  the  decree 
of  an  All-wise  Providence,  now  lost  to  us ;  but  while 
we  mourn  his  death,  we  feel  that  bis  spirit  still  lives, 
and  will  inspire  our  whole  army  with  his  indomitable 
courage,  unshaken  confidence  in  God,  our  hope  and  our 
strength.  Let  his  name  be  a  watchword  to  his  corps, 
who  have  followed  him  and  victory-  on  man}-  fields.  Let 
oflJicers  and  soldiers  emulate  his  invincible  determination 
to  do  everything  in  defence  of  their  beloved  country. 

"  (Signed)  R.  E.  Lee,  General." 


308  THE   GREAT   KETTr'AL. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

SUMMER    OF    18  63. 

After  the  great  victory  of  Chaucellorsville,  the  Con- 
federate army  lay  along  the  south  side  of  the  Rappa- 
hannock, watching  the  movements  of  the  Federals,  who 
held  the  opposite  side  of  that  river. 

But  few  military  movements  of  importance  were  un- 
dertaken for  some  weeks,  and  this  period  of  repose  and 
re-organization  was  well-improved  by  the  zealous  Chris- 
tian workers  in  the  arm}'. 

The  fervor  of  the  revival  was  even  greater  after  the 
battle  than  before  ;  in  almost  every  regiment  the  reports 
of  chaplains  and  colporteurs  were  most  encouraging. 

Rev.  W.  E.  Jones,  chaplain  of  the  22d  Georgia  regi- 
ment, wrote  : 

"  The  Lord  is  in  our  midst.  Ever  since  the  last  great 
victorj'^  God  has  been  pouring  out  upon  this  regiment 
his  Spirit,  almost  witliout  measure,  and  many  have  been 
converted,  and  forty-five  have  joined  different  branches 
of  the  Church,  and  there  is  a  host  of  mourning  souls. 
They  rush  to  the  altar  by  scores.  The  work  is  prosper- 
ing throughout  our  entire  army.  I  earnestl}'  call  upon 
all  God's  people,  and  especially  upon  parents,  wives, 
and  sisters,  to  pray  for  the  salvation  of  these  precious 
souls." 

A  private  soldier,  lamenting  that  there  was  no  chap- 
lain to  his  battalion,  said  : 

"  We  have  prayer-meetings  every  night,  and  God  never 
fails  to  meet  with  us.  Now,  I  know  we  are  not  depend- 
ent upon  instruments  of  power  for  carrying  on  a  work 
of  this  kind.  On  the  contrary,  very  often  the  weakest 
are  chosen." 


SUMMER  OF   1863.  309 

In  the  52d  North  Carolina  regiment  the  work  was 
glorious.     Rev.  J.  M.  Cline,  the  chaplain,  said  : 

"God  has  blessed  our  regiment  with  a  most  glorious 
revival  of  religion.  God  has  indeed  been  with  us. 
During  the  last  ten  days  fifty-six  have  joined  the  Church, 
and  thirty-three  have  been  soundly  converted.  The 
Lord  has  done  great  things  for  us.  Lions  have  been 
changed  to  lambs.  I  never  witnessed  such  a  glorious 
revival  before.  The  Church  is  greatly  revived,  and  built 
up  in  the  most  holy  faith.  On  last  Sabbath  I  adminis- 
tered the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  to  one  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  communicants.  God  was  with  us,  and 
we  had  a  refreshing  season  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord.     The  revival  is  still  progressing."  . 

Upon  the  earnest  labors  of  Rev.  J.  O.  A.  Cook,  chap- 
lain of  the  2d  Georgia  battalion,  God  sent  his  blessing. 
A  3'Oung  convert  of  that  command,  writing  to  a  com- 
rade, said  : 

"  Last  Saturday  night  I  commenced  the  work  in  good 
earnest,  with  the  determination  to  pursue  the  object  in 
view  until  I  found  the  '  peace  that  passeth  understand- 
ing.' On  Sunday  morning  I  was  wholly  convinced  that 
my  heart  had  been  changed.  Now  I  would  not  exchange 
my  condition  with  that  of  the  mightiest  monarch.  I 
would  not  sway  the  sceptre,  in  sin,  in  preference  to  being 
a  subject  of  religion.  The  revival  spreads.  The  Spirit 
of  God  is  trul^'  at  work  in  the  hearts  of  nearly  all  of 
the  members  of  our  little  battalion.  Soon  I  hope  we 
will  have  the  reputation  of  being  a  battalion  of  soldiers 
of  Christ.  We  have  a  bright  prospect  ahead.  Our 
pra3'er-meetings  are  larger,  and  a  deeper  interest  per- 
vades the  minds  of  all." 

Another  earnest  worker  wrote  :  "  It  would  rejoice  your 
heai-t  if  you  could  visit  the  Pine  Grove  near  our  camp, 
and  listen  to  the  many  voices  here  and  there  as  they 
supplicate  for  the  forgiveness  of  sin,  for  the  regenerating 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  to  wash  and  purge  their  hearts 


810  THE   GREAT    REVIVAL. 

from  all  guilt ;  and  perhaps  as  you  walked  farther  on 
3'ou  would  stumble  on  a  party  of  three  or  four,  who  had 
sought  some  secluded  spot  to  converse  upon  the  all-en- 
grossing subject.  The  attendance  upon  our  meeting, 
both  at  the  Grove  and  at  the  camp,  is  increasing.  Those 
at  the  Grove  have  become  regular  class  meetings,  and 
remind  me  so  much  of  our  littie  class-room  as  I  listen 
to  the  experience  of  those  who  have  lately  found  pardon 
for  all  their  sins.  Since  the  da}^  of  fasting  and  pra3''er, 
for  the  purpose  of  entreating  God  to  carry  on  the  good 
work,  there  has  been  a  visible  increase  in  the  number  of 
penitents  at  the  altar.  To-night  there  could  not  have 
been  less  than  fifty.  J.  A.  was  gloriously  converted  this 
morning.  A  few  had  assembled  at  the  Grove  merely 
for  conversation  on  religious  subjects  and  an  exchange 
of  views.  He  was  among  the  number,  and  while  thus 
engaged  he  suddenly  left  and  went  into  the  woods.  Iia 
a  short  time  he  came  back  with  outstretched  arms  and 
beaming  countenance,  threw  himself  in  O.'s  arms,  with 
the  expression,  'I  am  so  happy.'  You  can  imagine  what 
a  I10I3'  influence  it  had  upon  those  who  were  there.  Since 
I  have  been  writing  G.  has  come  in  and  told  me  that 
three  glorious  conversions  have  taken  place  m  the 
Spaulding  Grays,  and  a  few  moments  ago  C.  als©  told 
me  that  F.  B.  was  powerfully  converted  in  the  woods 
since  the  meeting.  Is  not  this  glorious  news  ?  Oh ! 
how  thankful  we  ought  to  be  to  our  Heavenl}'  Father  for 
his  great  '  loving  kindness  and  mercy  to  the  children  of 
men.'  I  never  saw  more  zealous  workers  in  the  cause 
of  Christ  than  C.  and  J.  C.  They  are  full  of  the  Spirit, 
and  can  talk  and  think  of  nothing  else." 

The  work  went  on  not  only  in  the  camps  and  along 
the  rear  lines,  but  even  in  the  trenches  on  the  very  edge 
of  battle.  "On  Sunday  evening,"  writes  a  soldier  from 
near  Fredericksburg,  "  we  had  a  very  interesting  little 
meeting  in  the  trenches.  It  began  with  some  of  the 
battalion  singing.     One  by  one  the  different  regiments 


SUMMER   OF    1863.  311 

collected  around  and  joined  in.  Soon  it  was  turned  into 
a  prayer-meeting,  and  it  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most 
interesting  scenes  I  had  witnessed  for  a  long  time." 

In  the  14th  South  Carolina  regiment  a  Christian  As- 
sociation was  formed  for  the  purpose,  as  the  Constitu- 
tion declared,  of  being  "helpers  of  each  other's  joy" 
in  Christ,  and  "laborers  together  with  God"  in  the 
promotion  of  his  cause.  AVe  covenant  together  with 
each  other  and  with  Christ  to  strive  to  grow  in  grace 
ourselves,  to  use  all  means  in  our  power  to  promote  the 
growth  of  grace  in  each  other,  and  to  be  instrumental  in 
bringing  others  to  a  saving  knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it 
is  in  Jesus  ;  in  short,  to  realize  and  act  out  in  our  lives 
the  truth  that  "  we  are  not  our  own,"  but  "  are  bought 
with  a  price,"  and  are  therefore  bound  "to  glorify  God 
in  our  bodies  and  in  our  spirits,  which  are  God's."  Of 
this  Association  Lieutenant-Colonel  Joseph  N.  Brown 
was  President ;  Lieutenant  R.  B:  Watson  and  Adjutant 
W.  P.  Ready,  Vice-Presidents ;  and  Captain  H.  P.  Grif- 
fith, Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

The  soldiers  in  the  West  were  as  fully  blessed  with 
the  spirit  of  revival  as  their  comrades  in  the  East. 
Vicksburg  and  other  points  on  the  Mississippi  were 
sorely  pressed  by  the  Federals,  and  there  was  much 
marching,  countermarching,  and  fighting  on  the  field  and 
in  trenches,  but  still  the  work  of  God  went  on  with  un- 
usual power. 

In  response  to  the  urgent  demand  for  more  laborers 
in  this  great  field,  the  different  Churches  sent  forth  all 
earnest  workers  that  could  be  spared  from  the  home 
work. 

Rev.  Messrs.  McFerrin,  Petway,  and  Ransom,  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  South,  went  to  the  help  of  Gen.  Bragg' s 
army ;  Messrs.  Thweat  and  Harrington,  of  the  same 
Church,  to  the  army  in  Mississippi ;  while  Bishop  Pierce, 
Dr.  A.  L.  P.  Green,  and  Rev.  J.  E.  Evans,  went  to  Gen. 
Lee's  army  in  Virginia.     Rev.  Dr.  Kavanaugh  was  sent 


312  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

to  the  arm}'  of  General  Price,  and  Rev.  Mr.  INIarvin 
(now  Bishop)  was  directed  by  Bishop  Pierce  to  take 
position  as  missionary  with  any  army  corps  west  of  the 
Mississippi.  The  work  of  these  ministers,  with  that  of 
other  zealous  men  from  sister  Churches,  gave  a  great  im- 
pulse to  the  revival.  In  Colonel  Colquitt's  4Gth  Georgia 
regiment,  camped  near  Vernon,  Miss.,  the  work  was 
powerful,  and  great  numbers  were  converted.  "  Last 
night,"  saj's  Rev.  T.  C.  Stanley,  "there  were  about 
eighty  presented  themselves  for  prayer,  kneeling  upon 
the  ground.  The  Christian  heart  could  not  but  be 
touched  while  witnessing  such  a  scene.  "We  were  under 
the  tall  spreading  oaks  of  the  forest,  and  the  moon  bath- 
ing all  with  its  gentle  beams,  typical  of  tue  Spirit  that 
was  in  mercy  sent  down  from  above,  enveloping  us  as 
with  a  garment  of  love,  cheering  the  heart  of  the  Chris- 
tian and  comforting  many  a  poor  penitent." 

In  the  ordeal  througfi  which  Vicksburg  passed  before 
the  siege  closed,  the  feeling  of  dependence  on  God  was 
very  marked  among  the  suffering  soldiers.  We  take  the 
following  from  a  chaplain's  journal,  kept  during  the 
siege  : 

"Our  case  is  desperate,  I  hope  in  God.  There  is 
much  turning  to  him  now,  to  recount  his  promises,  and 
to  claim  his  protection.  There  is  no  difficulty  now  in 
liaving  religious  conversation.  Everybody  is  ready  for 
a,  *  *  *  "^  A  bright  Sabbath  morning ;  but  its 
stillness  is  broken  by  the  harsh  and  startling  detona- 
tions of  the  engines  of  destruction.  I  sigh  for  the 
sweet,  undisturbed  sanctuary.  'As  the  hart,'  etc.  Read 
a  sermon  to  a  small  company  of  gentlemen  to-day.  Got 
on  somewliat  of  a  Sunday-  feeling.  We  sit  up  till  a  late 
hour  every  night,  discussing  the  situation,  etc.  *  *  *  * 
A  furious  fire  was  poured  upon  us  this  morning  at  3 
o'clock  from  the  batteries  beyond  the  trenches.  One 
shot  struck  a  hospital  near  me  and  killed  one  man  ;  the 
others  were   frightened,  and  cried  out  most   piteously. 


SUMMER   OF    1863.  313 

Nothing  that  I  have  met  is  more  harrowing  to  ray  feel- 
ings than  scenes  like  this.  Tried  to  observe  to-day  as 
the  Sabbath  by  acts  of  piety  and  works  of  charity." 

In  the  army  of  General  Bragg  the  revival  went  on  de- 
spite the  sufferings  of  the  troops  in  their  retrogade 
movement  to  the  vicinity  of  Chattanooga.  Rev.  W.  IT. 
Browning,  writing  to  tlie  Southern  Clwistkm  Advocate  of 
the  work  of  grace,  saj's  : 

"  I  am  truly  gratified  to  state  to  you  that  the  religious 
interest  in  this  army,  though  abated  to  some  extent  by 
the  retrogade  movement  to  this  place,  has  again  revived, 
and  there  is  now  a  general  spirit  of  revival  manifest  in 
every  part  of  this  arm}'.  In  this  brigade  we  have  been 
holding  meetings  each  night  for  more  than  two  weeks. 
There  are  generally  from  thirt}'  to  fifty  penitents  at  the 
altar  each  night,  and  about  forty  conversions.  In  most 
of  the  brigades  in  this  division  they  are  holding  simikr 
meetings.  Indeed,  the  same  ma}'  be  said  of  the  entire 
army. 

'•The  most  careless  observer  can  but  notice  the 
marked  change  that  has  taken  place  in  the  regiments. 
Instead  of  oaths,  jests,  and  blackguard  songs,  we  now 
have  the  songs  of  Zion,  praj-ers  and  praises  to  God. 
True,  there  are  yet  many  profane,  wicked,  and  rude,  yet 
the  preponderance  is  decidedly  in  favor  of  Christianity. 
1  verily  believe  that  the  morals  of  the  army  are  now  far 
in  advance  of  those  of  the  country.  And  instead  of  the 
jvrm}'  being  the  school  of  vice,  as  was  once  supposed, 
and  really  was,  it  is  now  the  place  where  God  is  adored, 
and  where  many  learn  to  revere  the  name  of  Jesus. 
Many  backsliders  have  recently  been  reclaimed — the 
lukewarm  have  been  aroused,  and  sinners  have  been  con- 
verted. Will  not  our  families  and  friends  at  home  awake 
to  the  importance  of  a  deeper  work  among  themselves  ? 
This  is  a  time  that  calls  for  universal  humiliation  and 
l)rayer." 

In  addition  to  these  extracts  we  can  onh'  give  brief, 
14 


314  TIIE   GREAT   RETTVAL. 

but  expressive,  records  from  other  parts  of  the  army. 
Rev.  II.  G.  Porter,  chaplain  of  the  10th  Mississippi  regi- 
ment, Bragg' s  army,  says  : 

"  It  makes  mj'^  very  soul  happy  to  witness  the  manifes- 
tations of  God's  saving  power  as  seen  here  in  the 
army — from  ten  to  forty  at  the  altar  of  prayer — have 
preaching  every  day  when  not  hindered  by  the  men  be- 
ing called  off." 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer,  of  New  Orleans,  preached  with 
power  and  love,  and  under  his  word  the  revival  deep- 
ened. Rev.  C.  W.  Miller,  army  missionary,  writes  of 
the  work  in  Georgia,  Gen.  D.  H.  Hill's  corps  : 

"  Since  I  arrived  here  as  missionary  I  have  been  en- 
gaged every  night  in  religious  services  with  the  soldiers. 
A  revival  and  extensive  awakening  have  been  in  pro- 
gress in  General  Bate's  brigade  for  four  weeks.  Every 
night  the  altar  is  crowded  with  weeping  penitents. 
Several  have  been  happil}'^  converted.  To  me  it  is  the 
most  interesting  sight  of  my  life.  You  cannot  look 
upon  these  penitent,  weeping  men  at  the  altar  of  pra3'er 
without  thinking  of  the  bloody  fields  of  Perryville  and 
Murfreesboro,  and  the  victorious  veterans  rolling  up  to 
heaven  the  shouts  of  triumph.  Here  they  are.  Some 
sending  up  the  note  of  a  more  glorious  victor}^ — others 
charging  through  the  columns  of  the  foe  to  'take  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  by  force.'  " 

From  James'  Island,  near  Charleston,  a  pious  captain 
of  a  Georgia  regiment  writes  : 

"  Since  our  chaplain  came  we  have  had  a  gracious  re- 
vival. Many  souls  have  been  converted,  and  many 
added  to  the  Church.  And  many  of  those  who  had 
grown  cold  have  been  revived,  and  we  now  have  a  warm- 
hearted, worshiping  congregation." 

Even  under  the  tire  of  t.he  Federal  batteries  the  work 
went  on.     Rev.  Mr.  Browning,  from  Chattanooga,  says : 

"  Yesterda}'  evening,  about  5  o'clock,  the  enem}'^  be- 
gan to  throw  shells  across  the  river  again,  firing  slowly 


SUMMER   OF    18G3.  315 

for  about  an  hour;  notwithstanding  this,  at  the  usual 
hour  (twilight)  we  had  a  very  large  crowd  of  anxious  lis- 
teners at  the  rude  arbor  the  men  had  erected  for  the 
worship  of  God.  A  short  discourse  was  delivered,  when 
the  penitents  were  invited  to  the  altar.  Fifty  or  sixty 
came  forward,  earnestly  enquiring  the  way  of  salvation. 
Ten  of  this  number  were  converted  and  enabled  to  '  tes- 
tify of  a  truth'  that  Christ  was  their  Saviour.  The  work 
is  still  extending.  Each  night  increases  the  attendance, 
the  interest,  and  the  number  of  penitents. 

"During  a  ministry'  of  a  fourth  of  a  centur}'^  I  have 
never  witnessed  a  work  so  deep,  so  general,  and  so  suc- 
cessful. It  pervades  all  classes  of  the  army  (hi  this  bri- 
gade), and  elicits  the  co-operation  of  all  denominations. 
We  know  no  distinction  here.  Baptists,  Cumberlands, 
Old  Presbyterians,  Episcopalians,  and  Methodibts,  work 
together,  and  rejoice  together  at  the  success  of  our 
cause." 

Mr.  B.  writes  again  from  the  same  place  :  "  The  glo- 
rious work  of  God  is  still  progressing  in  this  brigade. 
About  one  hundred  and  thirty  conversions  up  to  this 
time.  The  interest  is  unabated.  From  sixty  to  sevent}'- 
five  penitents  at  the  altar  each  night.  It  is  wonderful 
that  for  nearly  five  weeks  we  have  been  enabled  to  con- 
tinue this  work,  with  but  one  night's  interference  from 
rain  and  one  on  picket.  Surely  the  Lord  has  been  good 
to  us.  We  have  been  too  closely  confined  to  ascertain 
the  state  of  the  work  in  other  brigades,  further  than 
that  a  good  work  is  in  progress  in  some  of  them,  perhaps 
all.  The  chaplains  of  this  corps  have  not  met  for  seve- 
ral weelcs.  To-morrow  is  the  regular  time,  but  as  the 
enemy  shell  the  town  everj'-  few  days  it  is  doubtful 
whether  we  will  have  a  quorum." 

The  spreading  revival  called  for  all  the  workers  that 
could  be  supplied  from  the  home  work.  Bishop  Earl}', 
of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South,  appointed  Rev.  J.  N.  An- 
drews, of  the  North  Carolina  Conference,  a  missionary 


516  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

to  the  soldiers  in  North  Carolina,  and  the  Rev.  Leonidas 
Rosser,  D.  D.,  of  the  Virginia  Conference,  to  take  the 
place  of  Rev.  Dr.  James  E.  Evans,  whose  health  had 
failed,  in  General  Ewell's  corps  in  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia. 

In  midsummer  of  this  year  (1863)  the  people  of  the 
South  were  again  called  by  the  President  of  the  Con- 
federacy to  observe  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  He 
issued  the  following  proclamation  : 

"Again  do  I  call  upon  the  people  of  the  Confederac}' — 
a  people  who  believe  that  tlie  Lord  reigneth,  and  that 
his  overruling  Providence  ordereth  all  things— to  unite 
in  prayer  and  humble  submission  under  his  chastening 
hand,  and  to  beseech   his  favor  on  our  suffering  country. 

"  It  is  meet  that  when  trials  and  reverses  befall  us  we 
should  seek  to  take  home  to  our  hearts  and  consciences 
the  lessons  which  the}^  teach,  and  profit  by  the  self-ex- 
amination for  which  they  prepare  us.  Had  not  our  suc- 
cesses on  land  and  sea  made  us  self-confident  and  forget- 
ful of  our  reliance  on  him  ;  had  not  love  of  lucre  eaten  like 
a  gangrene  into  the  verj'-  heart  of  the  land,  converting 
too  many  among  us  into  worshippers  of  gain  and  ren- 
dering them  unmindful  of  their  duty  to  their  country,  to 
their  fellow-men,  and  to  their  God — who  then  will  pre- 
sume to  complain  that  we  have  been  chastened,  or  to 
despair  of  our  just  cause  and  the  protection  of  our 
Heavenly  Father  ? 

"Let  us  rather  receive  in  humble  thankfulness  the 
lesson  which  he  has  taught  us  in  our  recent  reverses, 
devoutly  acknowledging  that  to  him,  and  not  to  our  own 
feeble  arms,  are  due  the  honor  and  the  glory  of  victory ; 
that  from  him,  in  his  paternal  providence,  come  the 
anguish  and  sufferings  of  defeat,  and  that,  whether  in 
victor}"-  or  defeat,  our  humble  supplications  are  due  at 
his  footstool. 

"  Now,  therefore,  I,  Jefferson  Davis,  President  of  these 
Confederate  vStates,  do  issue  this,  my  proclamation,  set- 


SEAL 


suaiMEU  OF  18G3.  317 

ting  apart  Friday,  the  21st  day  of  August  ensuing,  as  a 
daj'  of  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer  ;  and  I  do  hereby 
invite  the  people  of  the  Confederate  States  to  repair  on 
that  day  to  their  respective  places  of  public  worship, 
and  to  unite  in  supplication  for  the  favor  and  protection 
of  that  God  who  has  hitherto  conducted  us  safely  through 
all  the  dangers  that  environed  us. 

"In  faith  whereof  1  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and 
.^«w>^-^^  the  seal  of  the  Confederate  States,  at  Rich- 
mond, this  twenty-fifth  day  of  July,  in  the 
3'ear  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
K^^-w^^     and  sixt^^-three.  Jefferson  Davis. 

"  By  the  President : 

"J.  P.  BENjAmN,  Secretary  of  State." 

The  field  of  conflict  was  now  full  of  startling  events. 
General  Lee  made  his  grand  movement  into  Pennsylva- 
nia, which  culminated  in  the  terrible  battle  of  Gettys- 
burg. From  East  Tennessee  to  Texas  the  different  ar- 
mies on  both  sides  displayed  unusual  activity. 

There  was  but  little  time  for  religious  services,  but  on 
every  suitable  occasion  they  were  held,  and  much  fruit 
was  gathered  even  from  fields  soaking  in  blood. 

The  following  scene  will  show  with  what  true  heroism 
our  Christian  soldiers  met  death  : 

"  In  the  retreat  of  our  army  from  Middle  Tennessee 
one  of  the  soldiers,"  sa3'S  Dr.  W.  A.  Mulkey,  a  surgeon 
in  the  army,  "  was  struck  by  an  unexploded  shell,  the 
ponderous  mass  sweeping  away  his  right  arm  and  leaving 
open  the  abdominal  cavity,  its  contents  falling  upon  his 
saddle.  In  a  moment  he  sank  from  his  horse  to  the 
ground,  but  soon  revived,  and  for  two  hours  talked  with 
as  much  calmness  and  sagacity  as  though  he  were  en- 
gaged in  a  business  transaction. 

"  Soon  several  of  his  weeping  friends  gathered  around 
him  expressing  their  sympathy  and  sorrow.  He  thanked 
them  for  their  manifestations  of  kindness,  but  told  them 


318  THE   GUEAT   RE\^VAL. 

that  instead  of  weeping  for  him  they  ought  to  weep  over 
their  own  condition  ;  for,  sad  to  say,  if,  even  among  tlie 
professors  of  his  company,  there  was  one  who  lived  fully 
up  to  the  discharge  of  his  Christian  dutier,,  he  was  not 
aware  of  it. 

"He  said,  'I  know  that  my  wound  is  monal,  and  that 
in  a  very  short  time  I  shall  be  in  eternity ;  but  I  die  as 
has  been  my  aim  for  years — prepared  to  meet  my  God.' 
After  exhorting  those  wlio  stood  around  hira  to  live  the 
life  of  Christians,  he  said,  'Tell  my  wife  to  educate  ray 
two  children  and  train  them  up  in  such  a  way  as  to  meet 
nie  in  a  better  world.  Before  she  hears  of  my  death  I 
shall  be  with  our  little  Mary  in  heaven.' 

"He  then  observed  that  in  entering  the  army  he  was 
influenced  alone  by  a  sense  of  duty ;  that  he  did  not  re- 
gret the  step  he  had  taken;  and  that  while  dying  he  felt 
he  had  tried  to  discharge  his  duties  both  as  a  soldier  and 
Christian. 

"Thus  died  an  humble  private  in  the  ranks  of  our  cav- 
alry, in  whose  life  were  most  harmoniously  blended  the 
characters  of  patriot,  soldier,  and  Christian." 

We  are  glad  to  record  tins  glorious  death  of  an  hum- 
ble private.  It  is  Init  one  out  of  many  thousands. 
Those  who  are  in  liigh  places  have  tbeir  words  recorded, 
but  it  is  rare  that  the  iiumble  toilers  can  be  heard  in  the 
rush  and  roar  of  life's  liatlle. 

The  untoward  events  of  this  summer's  campaign  served 
to  depress  tlie  minds  of  soldiers  and  people.  After  a 
heroic  resistance  Vicksburg  fell. 

The  blood}^  battle  of  Gettysburg  was  followed  by  Gen. 
Lee's  backward  movement  to  Virginia.  Charleston  was 
closely  invested  and  was  shelled  most  vigorously.  A 
deep  gloom  hung  over  the  South.  But  tliere  was  no  de- 
spair. The  pulpit  and  the  press  spoke  words  of  cheer 
to  the  peoi^^e. 

Rev.  Dr.  E.  H.  Mj^ers,  of  the  Southern  Christian  Advo- 
cate, urged  all  to  lift  their  hearts  to  God. 


soiMicK  OF  18C3.  319 

'•  There  is  great  necessit3',"  he  said,  "  for  us  to  culti- 
vate our  intercourse  with  Heaven.  Our  temporal  condi- 
tion looks  none  the  brightest.  God  is  tr^nng  us  in  a  fiery 
furnace  of  war;  and  for  the  present,  the  battle  seems  to 
go  against  us.  The  high  hopes  for  our  country  and  of  a 
speed3-  peace,  which  we  entertained  a  few  weeks  since, 
liave  been  in  a  measure  disappointed,  and  we  may  be 
doomed  to  j^et  greater  disappointment.  But  there  is  a 
refuge  for  the  soul  in  every  storm.  God's  peace  and 
love,  the  joj'-s  and  hopes  of  salvation,  the  sanctifying  and 
comforting  influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  are  not  subject 
to  human  circumstances ;  and  they  maj'  be  ours  amid 
ever}-  variety  of  calamit}'.  But  these  are  the  fruits  of 
the  cultivation  of  personal  religion ;  and,  independent 
of  every  other  consideration,  the  uncertaint}'  of  all  other 
sources  of  comfort  alone  should  be  an  inducement  to  us 
to  betake  ourselves  to  that  refuge,  to  watch  closely,  pray 
much,  believe  with  all  our  heart,  and  to  cleave  the  closer 
to  God,  the  louder  the  storm  swells,  and  the  more  furi- 
ously the  billows  dash  upon  the  wreck  of  earthly  hopes. 
"He  who,  in  the  dark  liour,  feels  that  he  grows  in 
grace  and  maintains  soul-communion  with  God,  stands 
upon  a  rock.     He  shall  never  be  moved." 

The  same  writer  who  has  told  us  of  the  scenes  in 
Yicksburg  furnishes  the  following  sad  picture  of  the  last 
day  of  the  siege  : 

•' Jul}-  4th. — When  I  awoke  this  morning  an  unusual 
stillness  prevailed.  No  firing  anywhere.  Before  very 
long  hear  that  Vicksburg  is  surrendered.  "Went  out  to 
the  field,  and,  with  the  most  painful  emotions,  saw  our 
brave  boys  stack  their  arms  and  march  away.  The  terms 
are  said  to  be  favorable,  paroling  men  and  officers.  Re- 
turned to  town  and  witnessed  the  grand  entr}'.  Ere  long 
the  flag  is  raided  upon  the  Courthouse;  the  gims  fire  a 
salute,  and  a  band  plays  a  triutnpliant  air.  M3'  heart 
sank  with  such  a  'Fourth  of  Jul}'^  Celebration.'  I  ob- 
serve tlie  conduct  of  the  enemy  to  be  respectful  and  con- 


320  THE    GUEAT   REVIVAL. 

siderate.  No  insolence  of  manner,  and  but  little  offen- 
sive taunting.  They  are  pressing  negroes,  howevei',  for 
their  regiments,  etc. 

"July  5th. — Awoke  this  morning  at  3  o'clock,  hurting 
and  sore  from  the  hardness  of  my  bed.  Remained  awake 
thinking  !  thinking  !  thinking  !  Arose  and  got  a  cup  of 
bo)ia  fide  coffee.  Rations  are  short,  though  we  will  draw 
to-morrow  from  the  Federals.  They  are  swarming  like 
Egyptian  locusts.  Last  night  they  amused  themselves 
all  around  with  a  grand  pyrotechnic  exhibition.  I  watch- 
ed their  rockets  of  different  colors  and  spangles,  but  did 
not  enjoy  the  fun.  Preached  to  the  regiment  this  morn- 
ing. We  were  in  a  sequestered  cove,  with  many  recent 
graves  around  us  to  remind  us  of  our  bereavement ;  with 
our  spirits  beclouded  by  the  gloom  of  our  present  situa- 
tion, and  our  hearts  laboring  with  gratitude  for  our  pre- 
servation through  the  fier}^  ordeal  just  passed  ;  and  the 
worship  of  the  hour  was  solemn  and  impressive.  It  will 
mark  an  era  doubtless  in  the  experience  of  many — tdiis 
'  siege  of  Vicksburg.' " 


AUTUMN    OF    18G3.  321 


CHAPTER  XX. 

AUTUMN    OF     1863. 

The  close  of  summer  and  the  opening  of  autninn  were 
marked  by  great  religious  power  in  all  the  armies  of  the 
Confederac}'. 

Rev.  Dr.  John  C.  Granbery,  wliose  labors  among. the 
soldiers  will  ever  be  remembered  by  the  surviving  vete- 
rans of  the  war,  in  September  wrote  ot  his  work  to  the 
Richmond  Christian  Advocate : 

"  I  have  been  employed  one  month  in  my  new  position 
as  a  missionary  to  the  army.  Bro.  Evans  having  been 
compelled  by  ill  health  to  resign  his  appointment,  Bishop 
Early  transferred  me,  at  my  request,  from  Ewell's  to 
Longstreet's  corps.  I  naturally  felt  a  preference  to  re- 
main witli  those  troops  among  whom  I  had  labored  as  a 
chaplain  from  almost  the  commencement  of  the  war. 
The  last  four  weeks  I  have  been  preaching  daily,  and 
sometimes  twice  a  day,  in  the  brigades  of  Pickett's  ^livi- 
.sion.  I  have  never  before  witnessed  such  a  wide-spread 
and  powerful  religious  interest  among  the  soldiers.  The3'' 
crowd  eagerly  to  hear  the  gospel,  and  listen  with  pro- 
found attention.  Many  hearts  have  been  opened  to  re- 
ceive the  word  of  the  Lord  in  ever}'  brigade.  It  would 
delight  3'our  heart  to  mark  the  seriousness,  order,  and 
deep  feeling,  which  characterize  all  our  meetings.  In 
Armistead's  brigade,  where  I  have  been  most  constantly 
working  in  co-operation  with  Bro.  Cridlin,  a  Baptist,  and 
chaplain  of  the  38th  Virginia,  and  with  other  ministers, 
there  have  been  some  seventy  professions  of  conversion, 
and  the  altar  is  filled  morning  and  night  with  penitents. 
The  change  is  manifest  in  the  whole  camp.     Men  have 


322  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

put  awaj'  their  cards ;  instead  of  blasphemy,  the  voice 
of  praj'er  and  the  sweet  songs  of  Zion  are  heard  at  all 
hours.  There  is  little  gambling,  but  all  seem  contented 
and  interested.  We  have  many  proofs  that  it  is  a  genu- 
ine and  might}''  work  of  grace.  Yesterday  reminded 
me  of  Sabbath  at  camp-meeting.  There  reigned  here  a 
deeper  quiet.  Divine  services  began  at  an  earl}'  hour  of 
the  morning,  and  continued  into  the  night  with  brief  in- 
tervals. At  9  A.  M.  Sabbath  School  was  held  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Christian  Association.  At  10  A.  M.,  4 
and  7  P.  M.,  the  congregation  met  for  preaching  and 
other  exercises.  It  was  a  happy  day — a  season  of  re 
freshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Bro.  August  is 
conducting  an  excellent  meeting  in  his  regiment.  Al- 
ready there  have  been  forty -two  professions  of  faith,  and 
the  work  deepens  and  widens.  I  have  enjoyed  the  privi- 
lege of  being  with  him  frequentl}^  and  have  never  seen 
a  revival  progress  in  a  more  satisfactory  and  promising 
manner.  The  Christian  Associations  which  have  recent- 
ly been  organized  in  the  different  brigades  will,  I  doubt 
not,  accomplish  great  good.  They  furnish  an  opportu- 
nity' for  the  public  confession  of  Christ  and  the  enjoy- 
ment of  the  friendship  of  saints.  They  are  a  nucleus  for 
lay  co-operation  with  the  chaplains,  or  lay  labors  in  the 
absence  of  chaplains.  In  Kemper's  brigade  the  revival, 
which  began  last  spring,  still  goes  on,  chiefly  under  the 
ministry  of  Rev.  Dr.  Prj'or,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  is  a  most  laborious  and  efficient  workman." 

In  a  circular  sent  out  to  the  Churches  and  people  by 
ihe  Chaplains'  Association  of  the  first  and  second  corps 
of  General  Lee's  armj',  urging  heart}'  co-operation  in  the 
work  of  saving  souls,  most  cheering  accounts  of  the  re- 
vival were  given  : 

"The  Lord  is  doing  wonderful  things  for  Zion  in  the 
ranks  of  our  army.  Christians  are  daily  growing  in 
grace  and  fidelity.  Sinners  are  turning  by  hundreds  to 
the  King  of  Righteousness  and  finding  that  peace  which 


AITUMN  OF    1863.  323 

comes  by  faith ;  while  many  are  3'et  seeking  the  Prince 
of  Life.  We  believe  that,  under  God's  direction,  much 
of  tliis  work  has  been  done  by  the  fraternal  intercourse 
secured  by  our  organization.  May  the  Lord  bless  you 
with  his  Spirit  and  give  his  Word  prosperity  througli 
your  instrumentality." 

The  religious,  and  even  the  secular  papers,  often  filled 
columns  with  the  news  of  God's  work  among  the  sol 
diers.  The  Ridwiond  Christian  Advocate,  published  in 
tlie  coveted  capital  of  the  Confederacy,  said  : 

"Not  for  years  has  such  a  revival  prevailed  in  the 
Confederate  States.  Its  records  gladden  the  columns 
of  every  religious  journal.  Its  progress  in  the  army  is 
a  spectacle  of  moral  sublimity  over  which  men  and  an- 
gels can  rejoice.  Such  camp-vieetings  were  never  seen 
before  in  America.  The  bivouac  of  the  soldier  never 
witnessed  such  niglits  of  glory  and  daj'^s  of  splendor. 
The  Pentecostal  fire  lights  the  camp,  and  the  hosts  of 
armed  men  sleep  beneath  the  wings  of  angels  rejoicing 
over  many  sinners  that  have  repented. 

"The  people  at  home  are  beginning  to  feel  the  kind- 
ling of  the  same  grace  in  their  hearts.  It  is  inspiring 
to  read  the  correspondence,  now,  between  converts  in 
camp  and  friends  at  home,  and  to  hear  parents  praise 
God  for  tidings  from  their  absent  sons  who  have  lately 
given  their  hearts  to  the  Lord. 

" '  Father  is  converted,'  says  a  bright-faced  child  of 
twelve  years,  '  Mamma  got  a  letter  to-day,  and  father 
says  that  there  is  a  great  revival  in  his  regiment.'  The 
child  is  too  happy  to  keep  her  joy  to  herself.  What  glo- 
rious news  from  the  army  is  this!  This  is  victory — tri- 
umph— peace  !  This  is  the  token  of  good  which  the 
great  King  gives  to  cheer  his  people.  It  is  the  best  evi- 
dence that  prayer  is  heard,  and  that  the  Lord  is  with  us. 
Let  us  show  ourselves  grateful  for  such  grace  and  '  walk 
worthy  of  God  who  has  called  us  to  his  kingdom  and 
glory.'     Let  fervent  prayer  continue  and  patient  faith 


324  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

wait  on  God,  '  who  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly 
above  all  that  we  ask  or  think.' " 

The  letters  from  the  converted  soldiers  were  often  the 
means,  under  God,  of  awakening  an  interest  in  the 
Churches  at  home.  And  back  to  the  army  went  letters 
telling  how  hearts  were  touched  and  made  trul}-  penitent 
b}'  reason  of  the  tidings  sent  from  the  boys  in  the  tents 
and  trenches. 

From  Gen.  Bragg's  army  that  veteran  soldier  of  the 
Cross,  Dr.  J,  B.  McFerrin,  wrote  : 

"  I  have  the  pleasure  of  saying  that  notwithstanding 
the  recent  numerous  movements  of  the  army  of  Tennes- 
see the  work  of  God  still  progresses.  Many  have  beeu 
brought  to  Christ  in  various  brigades,  and  wherever  the 
troops  remain  long  enough  in  one  place  religious  services 
aie  observed  with  great  effect.  The  chaplains  and  mis- 
sionaries work  with  zeal,  and  have  much  good  fruit. 
Let  our  friends  at  home  thank  God  and  take  courage. 
Huudreds  of  soldiers  are  coming  to  Jesus.  My  health 
is  good,  though  I  feel  weak  with  jaundice.  We  now  have 
at  work  in  this  arm}'  as  missionaries  from  our  Church  : 
Revs.  R.  P.  Ransom,  C.  W.  Miller,  Wellborn  Mooney,  W. 
Burr,  Bro.  Allen,  and  your  humble  servant.  We  expect 
Bro,  Petway." 

Soldiers  were  converted  by  thousands  everj'  week. 
From  Virginia  Rev.  G.  R.  Talley  wrote  : 

"  God  is  wonderfully  reviving  his  work  here,  and 
throughout  the  arm3^  Congregations  large  —  interest 
almost  universal.  In  our  Chaplains'  meeting  it  was 
thought  with  imperfect  statistics  that  about  five  hundred 
are  converted  every  week.  We  greatly  need  chaplains — 
men  of  experience  and  ministerial  influence.  Our  Reg- 
imental Christian  Association,  as  a  kind  of  substitute 
for  a  church,  and  our  Bible-classes,  are  doing  well." 

Under  the  powerful  stimulus  of  such  a  revival  the 
Churches  at  home  redoubled  their  efforts  to  supply 
preachers. 


AUTUMN  OK    18G3.  323 

The  Executive  Committee  of  Domestic  Missions  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  sent  Jifty-three  ministers  to  the 
armies.  The  other  Churches  also  called  on  their  best 
men  for  this  work,  and  gladly,  they  went  out  into  the 
harvest.  Oh,  what  scenes  they  witnessed  !  what  meet- 
ings they  held  !  At  noon  or  night,,  in  sunshine  or  in 
storm,  in  the  huts  of  the  soldiers,  in  the  fields  and  woods, 
in  the  crowded  hospitals,  the  men  of  God  lifted  up  their 
voices  and  the  men  of  war  wept,  and  bowed,  and  prayed 
before  the  Lord  of  Hosts. 

But  even  when  there  was  no  minister  to  lead,  devout 
laymen  were  used  by  the  Lord  to  carry  on  his  work.  A 
Lieutenant  in  Buford's  brigade,  army  of  Mississippi, 
wrote  : 

"A  glorious  revival  of  religion  has  just  closed  in  our 
brigade  for  want  of  moi'e  laborers.  The  fruits  of  the 
meeting  are  a  large  number  of  conversions,  and  a  still 
larger  number  of  earnest  penitents.  I  believe  all  the 
mourners  are  in  earnest  and  fully  determined  to  accom- 
plish their  salvation.  We  have  in  our  regiment  a  verv 
prosperous  Christian  Association,  which  meets  every 
Wednesday  night,  and  a  prayer-meeting  every  night, 
which  is  always  largely  attended  by  an  attentive  audi- 
ence. Having  no  chaplain  or  preacher  in  the  regiment, 
we  feel  that  the  work  of  the  Lord  devolves  upon  the  lay 
members  ;  and  quite  a  number  of  them  take  a  lively  in- 
terest in  the  great  work — stand  up  boldly  before  the 
people  as  advocates  for  the  cause  of  Clu-ist ;  and  oh ! 
how  beautiful  it  is  to  see  the  young  beginner,  boldly, 
yet  tremblingly^  pleading  with  God  in  behalf  of  his  fel- 
low-soldiers !  Pray  for  us,  that  the  Lord  may  prosper 
our  efforts  to  advance  his  kingdom." 

The  venerable  Bishop  Andrew,  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
South,  went  among  the  soldiers  like  a  father  among  his 
children,  and  rejoiced  in  the  privilege  of  preaching  to 
them  the  Word  of  Life. 

Of  a  visit  to  the  soldiers  at  Deraopolis,  Ala.,  most  of 
14a 


826  THE   GREAT    REVHVAL. 

whom  were  paroled  prisoners  from  Vicksburg,  and  among 
whom  were  many  of  the  gallant  men  who  came  from  3Iis- 
souri  with  Gen.  Price,  he  says  in  a  letter  to  the  Suutliern 
Christian  Advocate : 

"On  last  Sabbath  I  visited  Deraopolis,  where  there  are 
a  good  many  soldiers,  mostly  paroled  prisoners  who  were 
captored  at  Vicksburg.  Most  of  these  have  been  recent- 
ly exchanged,  and  will,  I  suppose,  soon  be  in  the  field 
again.  On  Sundaj'^  afternoon  I  preached  in  tlie  camp  of 
Gen.  Cockerell's  Missouri  brigade  to  quite  a  large  and 
attentive  congregation.  At  the  close  I  was  requested 
by  the  chaplain.  Rev.  Bro.  Howard,  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbj'terian  Church,  to  preach  for  them  again  on  Mon- 
day morning  at  9  o'clock,  to  which  I  consented,  and  the 
next  morning  was  in  my  place  and  tried  to  give  them  a 
plain,  affectionate  talk,  to  which  they  listened  with  ap- 
parent interest.  At  the  beginning  of  the  services  I  bap- 
tized a  young  man  who  had  been  converted  at  one  of  the 
soldiers'  prayer- meetings ;  for  the  young  men  of  the 
brigade  have  kept  up  a  regular  prayer-meeting  for  many 
months. 

"  I  was  glad  to  find  among  the  young  men  of  the  army 
a  good  many  sons  of  the  preachers  and  of  otliers,  my  old 
friends  in  Missouri.  It  did  me  good  to  hear  from  them, 
and  to  know  that  many  of  these  young  men  worthily  re- 
present and  recommend  the  religion  of  their  fathers. 
May  God  bless  and  keep  them  faithful  to  the  end." 

The  Bishop  paj's  a  well-merited  tribute  to  the  men  of 
Gen.  Price's  corps,  and  gives  us  the  impressions  of  his 
great  and  clear  mind  during  the  conflict : 

"  I  think,  from  what  I  saw  and  heard,  that  these  Mis- 
sourians  are  good  soldiers  and  very  orderly  in  their  gen- 
eral deportment  in  camp.  They  belong  to  the  class  who 
came  South  with  Gen.  Price,  and  have  been  in  the  army 
ever  since ;  and,  best  of  all,  not  a  few  of  them  are  de- 
cidedly pious.  Gen.  Cockerell  is  a  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian, and  Col.  McCown  is  a  Methodist.     Both  of  them 


AITUMN  OF    1863.  327 

have  a  good  reputation  for  piety.  If  we  bad  all  such 
officers  and  men  we  could  not  fail  to  be  victorious.  May 
God  help  us,  for  we  have  but  little  to  hope  for  from  man. 
Well,  God  reigns.  He  has  important  results  to  accom- 
plish ;  and  wheu  they  shall  be  accomplished,  we  shall 
have  peace  on  some  terms.  I  believe  we  shall  ultimate- 
ly triumph ;  but  I  fear  our  people  have  yet  a  bitter  cup 
to  drink.  I  have,  from  the  beginning,  believed  that  the 
institution  of  slavery  was  to  be  either  destroyed  or  es- 
tablished on  a  firmer  basis.  This  is  still  my  opinion. 
My  impression  is,  that,  let  the  struggle  terminate  as  it 
may,  the  value  of  that  class  of  property  is  to  be  very 
greatl}'^  affected." 

On  Sunday,  the  20th  of  September,  the  fierce  battle 
of  Chickamauga  was  fought.  The  little  stream  bears  an 
Indian  name,  which  means  the  River  of  Death.  "We 
know  not  whether,  in  bygone  daj's,  an}'  bloody  fight  be- 
tween Indian  tribes  secured  to  it  this  name,  but  if  so,  in 
this  dreadful  contest  it  was  rebaptized  in  blood.  The 
flower  of  our  Western  army,  with  some  of  the  best  Lieu- 
tenants and  soldiers  of  Gen.  Lee's  invincible  army  of 
Northern  Virginia,  met  the  Federals.  It  was  here  that 
Gen.  Hood  lost  his  leg ;  it  was  here  that  Gen.  Preston 
Smith  and  Gen.  Deishler  were  killed ;  it  was  here  that 
thousands  of  the  sons  of  the  South  poured  out  their 
blood  to  swell  the  "  river  of  death." 

After  a  most  obstinate  resistance,  the  Federal  army 
was  driven  from  the  field  and  forced  to  take  refuge  be- 
hind entrenchments  near  Chattanooga. 

Rev.  S.  M.  Cherr}',  one  of  the  most  faithful  laborers 
among  the  soldiers  of  the  Western  army,  gives  an  ac- 
count of  the  blessed  scenes  that  were  witnessed  among 
the  wounded  and  dying  men.  Of  the  work  of  the  chap- 
lains he  says : 

"Dr.  McFerrin  was  at  Cleburne's  Division  hospital, 
where  his  son  was,  slightl}'  wounded,  and  his  nephew, 
Rev.  John  P.  McFerrin,  severely  wounded,  working  with 


328  THE  ORKAT  I^E^^VAL. 

the  sufferers.  Dr.  Cross,  chaplain  on  Gen.  Backner's 
staff,  was  on  the  field  and  at  the  hospital.  Bros.  IMooney 
and  Miller  were  at  Stewart's  Division  hospital,  active 
and  industrious  in  attending  to  the  wounded  and  dying. 
Dr.  Petway  came  in  good  time  to  render  efficient  aid  in 
the  double  capacity  of  surgeon  and  minister.  I  saw 
Brothers  Burr  and  Browning  on* the  field  ;  also  Brothers 
Quarles,  Harris,  A.  W.  Smith,  Fitzgerald,  Daniel,  and 
others,  looking  after  their  wounded  and  suffering  sol- 
diers. Chaplain  Willoughby  was  with  the  dying  and  su- 
perintended the  burial  of  the  dead  of  our  division.  Bro. 
MeVo}'  came  in  time  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  his  men 
at  the  hospital,  and  many  others  were  at  the  post  of  duty 
if  not  of  danger." 

"It  was  encouraging,"  he  says,  "to  the  Christian  heart 
to  see  the  soldier  of  the  Cross  die  so  heroically.  Said 
Mr.  Pool,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  in  Colum- 
bus, Ga.,  whose  shoulder  was  sliattered,  'Parson,  write 
my  wife  a  calm  letter  and  tell  her  how  I  died  ;  for  I  will 
never  be  able  to  write  her  again.  Tell  her  I  was  ready 
and  willing  to  die.'  Mr.  Turner,  of  Elbert  county,  Ga., 
was  horribl}^  mangled  by  a  shell,  and  while  on  the  gory 
litter  said  to  me,  '  I  want  to  die  ;  all  is  well.' 

"Sam  Robins,  of  Spring  Place,  Ga.,  amid  the  fl3'ing, 
falling,  and  exploding  shells,  handed  me  his  h3'mn-book 
and  his  wife's  ambrotype,  having  the  night  previous 
talked  long  with  me  about  his  religious  enjoyments, 
pious  mother,  and  praying  father,  sending  messages  of 
love  to  his  youthful  wife,  and  declaring  that  he  felt  no 
fear  or  dread  of  the  coming  conflict,  though  he  seemed 
to  be  impressed  with  the  idea  that  he  would  not  survive 
tlie  battle.  He  fell  the  first  day  without  speaking  a  word. 
Others  died  full  of  faith  and  hope.  Several  of  the  slain 
were  devoted  Christians.  I  miss  them  much  at  our  re- 
ligious services  now.  On  last  Sabbath,  at  the  close  of 
tlie  sermon,  about  twenty-five  arose  or  knelt,  declaring 
their  resolution  to  lead  new  lives — several  officers  among 


AUTUMN  OF   18G3.  329 

the  number.  Most  of  our  commands  being  engaged  in 
constructing  fortifications  on  Sabbatli  evening,  I  liad  tlic 
privilege  of  preacliing  to  Liddell's  Arkansas  brigade, 
which  is  encamped  at  Missionary  Ridge.  From  the 
preaching  place  we  had  a  fine  view  of  Chattanooga  and 
the  Federal  defences.  The  attendance  and  attention  of 
the  audience  were  very  good.  They  have  enjoyed  a 
gracious  revival  of  religion  the  past  summer,  and  need 
chaplains  very  much. 

"At  twilight  I  preached  to  a  Kentucky  brigade,  com- 
manded of  late  by  the  ill-fated  Gen.  Helm.  There  are 
many  Christian  gentlemen  in  that  command.  I  preached 
for  them  again  at  6|  o'clock  last  evening.  The^^  meet 
every  evening  for  religions  service  just  after  'retreat'  is 
sounded.  Brother  Mooney  preached  for  our  brigade  last 
night.     It  is  stationed  in  reach  of  the  enemy's  guns." 

Mr.  Cherry  gives  us  an  account  of  one  of  the  saddest 
scenes  that  can  be  witnessed  in  an  army,  the  shooting 
of  a  deserter.  He  called  to  see  the  poor  young  man  and 
found  him  deeply  penitent  for  his  sins : 

"I  attended  him  in  his  last  moments.  When  he 
reached  the  place  of  execution  he  knelt  beside  his  coffin 
and  grave,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  entire  division 
offered  an  audible,  earnest  prayer,  making  confession  of 
his  great  sin  and  praying  for  God  to  pardon  him,  and 
touchinglj'  alluded  to  his  only  sister,  and  wife,  to  whom 
he  had  been  married  but  one  year,  and  commended  his 
departing  spirit  to  God.  He  was  calm  while  the  sen- 
tence was  read,  listened  attentively  to  the  lesson  read 
of  the  dying  Saviour  and  penitent  thief,  and  responded 
fervently  during  the  recital  of  the  hymn,  'There  is  a 
fountain  filled  with  blood,'  etc.  His  feet  and  hands  were 
bound  and  ej^es  hoodwinked.  The  command  was  given, 
aim,  ready,  fire,  and  he  fell,  pierced  by  five  balls  through 
the  head  and  body.     Thus  perished  the  j'oung  deserter." 

There  was  scarcely  a  spot  where  soldiers  were  gather- 
ed where  the  revival  did  not  manifest  its  saving  power. 


330  THE    GREAT   REVIVAL. 

Think  of  a  revival  within  the  limits  of  battered  Fort 
Sumter. 

Near  the  close  of  September,  Rev.  A.  B.  Stephens, 
chaplain  of  the  11th  South  Carolina  regiment,  wrote  : 

"We  now  constitute  the  garrison  at  Fort  Sumter.  On 
the  last  fast-day  I  began  a  meeting  which  has  been  going 
on  and  increasing  in  interest  all  the  while  till  now.  God 
has  honored  us  with  a  gracious  revival  of  religion  among 
the  sohHery  of  this  command.  A  few  months  ago  but 
two  officers  in  the  regiment  were  members  of  the  Church. 
Now  but  few  more  than  that  number  are  not  professors 
of  religion.  About  200  have  joined  the  Church,  and  a 
larger  number  have  been  converted  and  are  now  happy 
in  the  love  of  God.  It  would  do  3'our  soul  good  to  visit 
the  old  Fort,  battered  and  scarred  as  it  is,  and  hear  the 
soldiers  make  the  battered  walls  ring  with  the  high 
praises  of  the  living  God.  No  camp-meeting  that  I  have 
ever  attended  can  come  near  it." 

In  Gen.  G.  T.  Anderson's  Georgia  brigade,  composed 
of  the  7th,  8th,  9th,  11th,  and  o9th  regiments,  the  influ- 
ence of  a  Soldiers'  Christian  Association  was  most  pow- 
erful for  good. 

"It  has  drawn  out  and  developed,"  sa3's  a  soklier  of 
the  brigade,  "all  the  religious  element  among  us.  It 
has  created  a  very  pleasant,  social  feeling  among  the  re- 
giments, and  has  blended  them  into  one  congregation. 
The  throe  chaplains  of  the  brigade  work  together,  and 
thus  ligliten  the  burdens  of  each  other,  and  also  extend 
help  to  the  two  regiments  that  are  without  chaplains. 
The  Association  now  numbers  over  400  members.  We 
recently  broke  up  a  camp,  where,  for  four  weeks,  we 
have  enjoyed  an  unbroken  rest ;  and  it  has  been  one 
long  'camp-meeting,' — a  great  revival  season, — during 
which  we  held  divine  services  daily.  It  has  been  a  time 
of  great  joy  with  us,  reviving  pure,  evangelical  religion, 
and  converting  many  souls.  Above  80  members  liave 
been  added  to  tlie  Association  as  the  fruit  of  our  meet- 


Al'TUMN   OK    18G3.  331 

ing.  A  i^reat  revolution  lias  been  wrought  in  the  moriil 
tone  of  the  brigade.  During  a  part  of  this  time  we  were 
assisted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Gwin,  of  Rome,  Ga.,  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  and  by  Rev.  Dr.  Baird,  of  Mississippi,  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  Their  labors  were  highlj'  ap- 
preciated, and  were  very  valuable.  The  8th,  9th,  and 
11th  regiments,  each  have  Sabbath  Schools,  which  are  a 
new  and  interesting  feature  in  the  religious  teachings  of 
the  arm}'.  Much  interest  is  taken  in  it.  Full  one-third 
of  my  regiment  are  members  of  my  school." 

In  Law's  brigade  the  work  was  equally  deep  and  pow- 
erful. 

"  Last  INIarch,"  says  a  soldier,  "  I  was  quite  sick,  and  was 
sent  to  the  hospital  in  Richmond,  Va.  At  that  time  my  re- 
giment (the  gallant  4th  Alabama)  was  extremely  wicked. 
You  could  scarcely  meet  with  any  one  who  did  not  use 
God's  name  in  vain.  You  could  see  groups  assembled 
almost  in  every  direction  gambling.  I  obtained  a  fur- 
lough and  returned  home  to  my  dear  wife  and  children, 
who  live  not  far  from  your  city.  I  returned  to  my  com- 
mand some  two  weeks  since,  and  to  my  surprise  and  de- 
light I  found  at  least  three-fourths  of  my  company  not 
only  members  of  the  Church  of  the  living  God,  but  pro- 
fessors of  religion.  This  state  of  affairs  is  not  limited 
to  my  company,  but  it  extends  throughout  the  entire  re- 
giment, and  I  might  say  the  whole  brigade  (Law's  bri- 
gade). God  grant  that  this  good  work  may  continue  to 
flourish  throughout  the  entire  army." 

In  the  cause  of  the  South  the  greatest  and  the  hum- 
blest of  her  sons  yielded  up  their  lives  freeh^  to  secure 
her  freedom.  Among  those  who  died  this  year  the  name 
of  Gen.  John  Buchanan  Floyd  stands  prominent.  Be- 
fore the  war  he  had  filled  various  offices  as  a  statesman. 
In  1849  he  was  chosen  by  the  General  Assembl^^  of  Vir- 
ginia Governor  of  the  State,  and  served  for  the  legal 
terra.  In  1857,  on  the  accession  of  James  Buchanan  to 
the  Presidency  of  the  United  States,  he  was  called  to 


332  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

the  post  of  Secretary  of  War.  When  the  war  broke  out 
in  1861  he  entered  the  Confederate  arm}'  as  Brigadier- 
General,  and  for  a  time  commanded  a  part  of  the  forces 
in  Western  Virginia.  lie  was  afterwards  transferred  to 
the  army  of  the  West,  and  was  at  Fort  Donelson,  where 
he  participated  in  the  terrible  battle  that  preceded  the 
loss  of  that  strongliold.  With  Gen.  Pillow  and  several 
thousand  men  he  withdrew  from  the  Fort  before  it  was 
surrendered  to  Gen.  Grant.  Failing  health  disqualified 
him  for  the  arduous  duties  of  a  soldier,  and  he  retired 
to  his  home  in  Virginia.  In  little  more  than  a  j^ear  and 
a  half  after  the  Fort  Donelson  affair  he  was  in  his  grave. 
It  is  pleasing  to  know  that  in  his  last  illness  he  turned 
with  a  penitent  heart  to  Christ  Jesus  as  his  only  hope 
of  salvation.  Rev.  E.  E.  Wexler,  of  the  Ilolston  Con- 
ference, M.  E.  Church,  South,  was  called  to  see  him  in 
his  last  hours,  and  gives  a  description  of  the  scene  : 

"I  was  summoned  by  telegraph,"  he  saj's,  "to  attend 
the  bedside  of  Gen.  Floyd,  and  reached  him  four  da3's 
before  his  death.  I  found  him  calm  and  peaceful — his 
mind  as  clear  and  his  judgment  as  sound  as  ever  in  his 
life.  He  took  me  b}'  the  hand,  telling  me  he  could  not 
survive  more  than  a  few  days.  He  spoke  of  his  religious 
feelings  and  prospects  in  the  most  beautiful  and  satis- 
factory' manner.  I  wish  I  could  recall  his  language,  but 
can  do  so  only  ver3^  imperfectly.  He  said  he  was  not 
afraid  to  die  :  that  he  had  the  strongest  assurance  of  his 
acceptance  with  his  Maker.  He  felt  that  he  was  a  sin- 
ner, and  that  his  only  hope  was  in  the  infinite  mercy  of 
God  through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  As  he  spoke  of  the 
goodness  of  God,  his  heart  seemed  to  glow  with  grati- 
tude and  love ;  and  as  I  repeated  the  promises  of  the 
Bible  suited  to  his  case,  his  eyes  kindled  with  interest 
and  the  large  tear-drops  flowed  copiously  over  the  manly 
face  of  the  battle-scarred  warrior. 

"  He  said  that  in  public  life  he  had  many  enemies ; 
that   he   bad   been  wronged — deeph^  wronged — yet   he 


AUTUMN   OF    18G3.  333 

fully  and  freely  forgave  it  all ;  that  before  that  God  in 
whose  presence  he  expected  ver^'  soon  to  stand  he  could 
sa}^  that  he  had  no  malice  nor  aught  in  liis  lieart  against 
any  man.  He  had  been  impressed  with  the  importance 
of  connecting  himself  with  the  Church,  but  had  been 
hindered  from  doing  so  by  various  causes,  but  now  he 
wished  to  be  received  into  its  communion  and  to  receive 
the  holy  sacrament,  and  I  saw  no  good  reasons  why  his 
wishes  should  not  be  granted ;  accordingly,  he  was  re- 
ceived into  the  Churcli  and  the  sacrament  administered. 
These  solemn  and  impressive  services  being  performed, 
much  to  the  gratification  of  liimself  and  friends,  he  now 
felt  that  his  work  was  done.  After  this  he  conversed 
but  little,  being  very  weak,  and  much  of  the  time  suffer- 
ing severe  pain ;  yet  he  retained  full  possession  of  his 
faculties  to  the  last,  and  tlie  same  calm,  peaceful  state 
of  mind.  Much  of  the  time  he  was  engaged  in  prayer, 
and  often  seemed  anxious  that  his  departure  should  be 
hastened." 

In  the  army  of  General  Lee,  while  it  lay  on  the  upper 
Rappahannock,  the  revival  flame  swept  through  every 
corps,  division,  brigade,  and  regiment.  Of  the  work 
which  came  under  his  eye  in  Ewell's  corps  Dr.  Rosser 
wrote  : 

"  My  plan  is,  to  visit  and  preach  to  this  corps,  division 
by  division,  and  brigade  by  brigade — stopping  longest 
where  I  can  do  most  good,  noticing  vacancies  in  the 
chaplaincy,  circulating  religious  reading  as  it  reaches 
me,  and  sympathizing  with  the  sick  and  wounded  sol- 
diers. A  nobler  work  cannot  engage  the  heart  of  the 
preacher,  or  the  attention  of  the  Church  and  nation.  I 
can  but  glance  at  the  work  at  this  time. 

"The  whole  army  is  a  vast  field,  ready  and  ripe  to  the 
harvest,  and  all  the  reapers  have  to  do  is  to  go  in  and 
reap  from  end  to  end.  The  susceptibility  of  the  soldiery 
to  the  gospel  is  wonderful,  and,  doubtful  as  the  remark 
may  appear,  the  military  camp  is  most  favorable  to  the 


334  TILE    GUEAT    llF:^^VAL. 

work  of  revival.  The  soldiers,  with  the  simplicity  of 
little  children,  listen  to  and  embrace  the  truth.  Already 
over  t^o  thousand  have  professed  conversion,  and  over 
two  thousand  more  are  penitent.  The  hope  of  the  Church 
and  the  countiy  is  in  our  armies,  and  religion  in  the  array 
should  be  a  subject  of  the  most  serious  concern  to  the 
Church.  That  Church  that  does  most  for  religion  during 
the  war  will  do  most  for  religion  when  the  war  is  over. 
Let  our  Church  bave  an  eye  to  this,  and  with  a  holy  faith 
and  zeal  grasp  both  the  present  and  the  future.  Oh,  let 
the  shepherds  come  and  gather  the  lambs  in  the  wilder- 
ness ! 

"  We  want  our  best  men  here — men  of  courage,  faith, 
experience — holy  men — hard  working  men — S3'mpathiz- 
ing  men — self-denying  men — men  baptized  afresh  every- 
day by  the  Holy  Ghost  for  the  work.  No  place  here  for 
slow  men,  mere  reasoners  and  expositors,  however  learn- 
ed or  eloquent ;  war  has  no  time  to  wait  for  such  men — 
the  soldier  has  no  time  to  wait  for  such  men — he  may 
die  to-morrow.  The  few  men  now  with  us  in  this  corps — 
and  noble  men  they  are — can  do  but  a  tithe  of  the  work 
required — some  of  them  have  the  work  of  a  brigade.  We 
want  more  and  the  best.  Let  our  Churches  be  content 
to  spare  them. 

"We  want  vastly  more  religious  reading,  Oh,  it  is 
affecting  to  see  the  soldiers  crowd  and  press  about  the 
preacher  for  what  of  tracts,  etc.,  he  has  to  distribute, 
and  it  is  sad  to  see  luindreds  retiring  without  being  su;*- 
plied  !  One  wishes  to  give  himself  away  to  meet  the 
want.  While  the  country  is  expending  hundreds  of  mil- 
lions of  dollars,  and  pouring  out  its  blood  like  water  on 
the  altar  of  patriotism,  let  the  Church  be  as  prominent 
in  devotion  and  zeal  to  religion  in  the  army.  Let  reli- 
gion rival  patriotism  in  activity.  Light  up  the  great 
camp  of  war  with  celestial  fire." 

The  sufferings  of  the  soldiers  were  ver}^  great,  exposed 
as  Lhey  were,  with  poor  rations  and  clothing,  to  inclem- 


AUTUMN  OF   18G3.  335 

ent  weather,  and  often  sleeping  on  the  bare,  muddy 
ground.  Rev.  A.  D.  McVoy,  writing  to  the  Southern 
Christian  Advocate  from  Chattanooga,  says : 

"In  the  trenches  the  dull  days  are  passed  without  im- 
provement. It  is  true  we  have  splendid  scenery,  and 
these  huge  mountains  enclose  a  magnificent  theatre  of 
war.  We  can  climb  the  rugged  sides  of  Lookout  or  Mis- 
sionary Ridge  and  look  down  upon  two  armies  watching 
each  other,  hesitating  to  attack  each  other  in  their  pres- 
ent positions.  But  for  the  past  two  weeks  the  clouds 
have  gathered  thick  and  low  over  us  and  drenched  the 
country  with  superabundance  of  rain.  The  cold,  mud, 
and  rain,  have  produced  great  suffering  and  sickness 
among  the  troops ;  for  we  have  been  entirely  without 
shelter  in  very  exposed  positions.  Up  to  the  present 
very  few  flies  have  been  furnished — no  tents.  In  our 
field  hospital  we  have  over  three  hundred  and  fifty  sick 
from  our  brigade  (Clayton's)." 

But  in  the  midst  of  these  hardships  the  work  of  sal- 
vation steadily  progressed. 

"I  never  saw,"  says  Mr.  McVo}',  "men  who  were  bet- 
ter prepared  to  receive  religious  instruction  and  advice. 
In  fact,  they  earnestly  desired  and  greatly  appreciated 
the  attention  of  the  chaplains  and  missionaries  in  this 
respect.  The  dying  begged  for  our  prayers  and  our 
songs.  Every  evening  we  would  gather  around  the 
wounded  and  sing  and  pra}^  with  them.  Man}-  wound- 
ed, who  had  hitherto  led  wicked  lives,  became  entirely 
changed,  and  by  their  vows  and  determinations  evinced 
tl)eir  purpose  to  devote  themselves  to  God.  Most  of 
those  who  died  in  a  conscious  state  gave  gratifying  and 
satisfactor}'  testimony  of  the  efficacy  of  the  religion  of 
tlic  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  a  dj'ing  hour.  I  witnessed 
some  triumphant  deaths — prayer  and  pjaise  from  dying 
lips.  One  young  Tennesseean,  James  Scott,  of  the  S2d 
Tennessee,  I  think,  attracted  the  attention  of  all.  He 
continually  begged  us  to  sing  for  him  and  to  pray  with 


336  THE    GUEAT    RE\^VAL. 

him.  He  earnestly  desired  to  see  his  mother  before  he 
^died,  which  was  not  permitted,  as  she  was  in  the  enemy's 
lines,  and  he  died  rejoicing  in  the  grace  of  God.  We 
will  long  remember  Jimmie  Scott.  An  attractive  coun- 
tenance, pleasing  manners,  he  endured  his  intense  si;f- 
ferings  with  great  fortitude ;  not  a  murmur  or  complaint 
was  heard  from  him,  and  his  strong  religious  faith  sus- 
tained him  to  his  dying  moment. 

"  I  might  go  on  and  describe  many  scenes  like  the 
above  to  show  how  our  wounded  boys  die.  They  know 
how  to  fight,  and  many  of  them  know  how  to  die." 

The  devotion  of  the  ladies  of  "the  South  to  tlie  sick 
and  wounded  soldiers  was  so  earnest,  unselfish,,  and  un- 
tiring, that  it  will  stand  forever  as  an  example  of  true 
heroism. 

Tlie  hospital  at  which  Mr.  McVoj'  served  was  estab- 
lished at  the  house  of  a  lady  who,  with  a  bleeding  heart, 
gave  herself  to  Christian  ministrations  with  sincere  love. 

"  With  one  son  killed  and  the  other  severely  wounded, 
and  the  care  of  a  large  family  upon  her,  her  place  de- 
vastated and  ruined,  her  stock  killed  up,  she  ceased  not 
>  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  our  wounded  and  comfort 
tbe  suffering,  distributing  all  the  milk  and  eggs  she 
could  procure.  Many  a  wounded  soldier  will  long  re- 
member Mrs.  Thedford,  for  she  was  truly  a  mother  to 
them  in  their  liours  of  distress  and  pain.  The  entire 
family  were  untiring  in  providing  for  the  wounded.  Mrs. 
Dnrrott,  from  Tuscaloosa,  although  she  arrived  some 
time  after  the  battle,  when  most  of  the  wounded  had 
been  scut  off,  contributed  greatly  by  her  motherly  nurs- 
ing and  attention  to  relieve  and  comfort.  Not  much  can 
be  done  in  the  army  at  present  by  the  chaplains  and 
missionaries  until  the  rainy  season  shall  pass.  I  was 
glad  to  meet  the  Rev.  Mr.  Miller,  from  Kentucky  Con- 
ference, who  has  just  arrived  to  commence  his  opera- 
tions as  a  missionary.  He  was  mounted  on  a  beautiful 
Kentucky  horse,  fully  equipped  for  the  contest." 


AUTUMN  OF    1863.  337 

Some,  nay,  many  of  our  readers  will  recall  the  sad 
scenes  witnessed  by  Rev.  C.  W.  Miller  in  a  trip  through 
a  portion  of  the  South.  "  Along  the  railroads,"  he  says, 
"  tlie  '  tax  in  kind'  is  being  deposited  in  such  quantities 
that  we  imagine  if  an  old  Egyptian  could  raise  his  head 
after  a  sleep  of  3,500  years  and  look  upon  the  corn,  etc., 
in  this  land,  he  would  think  that  it  was  the  seventh  3-ear 
of  plenty  in  the  daj's  of  Joseph. 

"And  3'et,  hundreds  of  homes  are  saddened  by  hunger 
and  want.  The  grasp  of  extortion's  mailed,  hand  and 
marble  heart  is  upon  all  this  abundance  ;  and  hungry 
orphans  and  penniless  mothers  starve  in  a  land  of 
plent}' !  '  I  speak  that  I  do  know,  and  testify  tliat  I 
have  seen.'  'If  the  clouds  be  full  of  rain  they  empty 
themselves  upon  the  earth,'  thus  teaching  iiien  to  pour 
forth  the  blessings  which  Heaven  has  deposited  with 
them  for  the  poor ;  but  they  heed  not  the  lesson,  and 
challenge  the , ascending  cries  of  orphans,  widows,  and 
helpless  age,  to  bring  down  God's  vengeance. 
********** 

"On  my  return  I  visited  tlie  memorable  field  of  Chick- 
amauga.  P^verywhere  may  be  seen  the  marks  of  an  aw- 
ful struggle.  Trees  are  scarred  and  perforated  by  balls 
of  all  sizes.  Solid  oaks  and  pines,  in  man}'  instances 
of  enormous  size,  are  shivered  b}'^  cannon-balls.  But 
the  saddest  sight  there  is  the  long  array  of  Confederate 
graves.  All  over  that  bloody  field  sleep,  in  their  narrow 
beds,  the  deathless  heroes  of  the  19th  and  20th  of  Sep- 
tember. No  hand  of  affection  plants  a  rose  or  trains 
the  evergreen  over  their  grave.  Side  by  side  they  re- 
pose upon  the  field  their  valor  won.  The  grand  old 
forest  above  them  stands  sentinel  at  tlieir  graves,  wliilst 
turbid  Ciiickamauga  sings  their  requiem  along  its  banks. 

"  We  are  preaching  and  laboring  for  the  spiritual  good 

of  the  soldiers  as  much  as  the  situation  will  allow.     The 

troops  are  in  line  of  battle,  and  we  assemble  a  regiment 

or  two  around  their  camp-fires  at  night  and   speak  to 

15 


338  THE   GREAT    REVIA'AL. 

them  the  Word  of  Life.  The  soldiers  receive  gl^adly  the 
truth,  and  are  always  anxious  to  hear  preaching.  Never 
was  there  an  ampler  field  for  ministerial  labor.  May 
God  give  success  to  the  efforts  of  his  servants  with  these 
brave  men." 

We  have  already  stated  that  the  Presbj^terian  Church 
sent  over  fifty  laborers  into  the  army.  At  the  session 
of  the  Synod  of  Virginia  Dr.  J.  Leighton  Wilson,  Secre- 
tary of  Missions,  gave  a  sketch  of  the  army  revival  and 
arged  that  his  Church  prosecute  its  Army  Mission  work 
■with  increased  zeal.     Dr.  Wilson  said  : 

"  There  is  a  state  of  religion  in  the  army  of  Tennes- 
see quite  as  interesting  as  tliat  in  the  arm}^  of  Northern 
Viro^inia.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Palmer  says  he  has  never  be- 
fore seen  so  great  a  movemient.  Go  where  you  will,  and 
only  let  it  be  known  that  you  are  to  preach — it  hardly 
makes  a  difference  wlio  the  preacher  is — and  crowds  wdl 
attend  to  hear.  Dr.  W.  thought  it  doubtful  whether 
there  had  been  anything  since  the  days  of  Pentecost 
equal  to  this  wonderful  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God 
in  our  army.  If  ever  there  was  a  mighty,  an  imperative 
call  upon  us,  it  is  now.  If  we  do  not  rise  to  the  occa- 
sion, our  Church  will  degrade  herself  before  the  world 
and  before  other  denominations." 

Of  his  work  after  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  Dr.  J.  B. 
McFerrin  wrote  : 

"  The  revival  in  the  arm}^  progressed  up  to  the  time 
of  the  Chickamauga  fight ;  and  even  since,  notwithstand- 
ing the  condition  of  the  troops  moving  to  and  fro,  or  en- 
gaged in  erecting  fortifications,  the  good  work  in  some 
regiments  still  goes  on.  The  good  accomplished  b}'  the 
ministr}'  of  the  Word  will  never  be  appreciated  by  the 
Church  till  the  light  of  eternity  shall  reveal  it.  Some 
of  the  fruits  have  already  ripened ;  souls  converted  in 
the  army  have  gone  to  the  rest  that  remains  to  the  peo- 
ple of  God.  The  chaplains  and  missionaries  will  have 
many  seals  to  their  ministry.     Oh !  how  joyful  to  think 


AI'TUMN  OF    18G3.  839 

of  being  the  honored  instruments  of  bringing  brave  souls 
in  the  tented  field  to  enlist  under  the  banner  of  the  Cap- 
tain of  our  salvation, 

'•  Since  I  last  wrote  to  you  I  have  witnessed  much  suf- 
fering in  the  armj'.  The  terrible  fight  at  Chickamauga 
sent  man}'  to  their  long  homes,  and  made  cripples  for 
life  of  hundreds  who  were  not  mortally  wounded ;  but, 
my  dear  brother,  to  witness  tlie  dying  triumph  of  a 
Christian  soldier  gives  one  a  more  exalted  appreciation 
of  our  holy  Christianit}'." 

Near  the  close  of  autumn  (November  24-25)  the  battle 
of  Missionary  Ridge,  so  disastrous  to  the  Confederates, 
was  fought.  The  army  of  Gen.  Bragg  had  been  greatly 
reduced  in  numbers  by  sickness  and  b}^  the  withdrawal 
of  Longstreet's  corps  to  East  Tennessee.  Gen.  Wheel- 
er was  also  absent  with  nearl}'  all  our  cavahy.  The 
arm}^  was  left  with  little  more  than  one-third  the  strength 
it  had  at  Chickamauga.  The  Federals  first  assaulted 
and  carried  the  strong  position  on  Lookout  mountain. 
Thej^  next  massed  heavy  columns  against  Missionary 
Ridge,  and  after  a  desperate  resistance  the  Confederates 
gave  wa}^  and  the  whole  army  began  to  retreat. 

The  Rev.  C.  W.  IMiller  gives  a  vivid  description  of  the 
battle  on  the  Ridge  : 

"Wednesday  morning,  November  25,  dawned  brightl}% 
and  at  7  o'clock  the  decisive  struggle  commenced  for  the 
possession  of  Missionary  Ridge.  The  bleeding  remnant 
of  Waltliall's  and  Moor's  brigades  had  reached  the  shel- 
ter of  our  last  defen§ive  position  ;  Breckinridge's  corps 
was  placed  on  the  left,  and  Hardee's  on  the  right,  along 
the  summit  of  the  Ridge  ;  a  breastwork  of  logs  and 
earth  had  been  hastily  constructed  Tuesday  night  on  the 
top.  The  work  of  death  began.  The  battle  rolled  re- 
fluent tides  along  the  rocky  summit  until  it  seemed  to 
quake  beneath  the  tread  of  the  god  of  war.  Victory 
everywhere  spread  her  wings  over  our  banners,  and  a 
mutilated  foe  staggered  beneath  the  death-dealing  vol- 


340  THE    GKEAT    REVIVAL. 

leys  until  about  half-past  three  P.  M.  At  that  time  the 
enemy,  rendered  bestial  by  intoxicating  drink,  cliargcd 
up  the  steeps  of  Missionary  Ridge,  and  gained  a  posi- 
tion on  its  summit  from  which  they  could  not  be  dis- 
lodged. This  disaster  was  incurred  in  the  following 
manner :  The  regiments  occupying  tlie  fortifications 
along  the  tops  of  the  Ridge  were  divided,  and  one-half 
of  each  one  placed  at  the  base  of  the  mountam,  next 
the  valley  of  Chattanooga.  When  the  abolitionists  ad- 
vanced, those  at  the  base,  according  to  orders,  delivered 
their  fire  and  retreated  up  the  mountain.  The  enemy,  as 
could  easly  have  been  foreseen,  charged  up  immediately 
in  the  rear  of  these  retreating  forces,  thereby  placing 
our  own  men  as  a  sure  protection  between  themselves 
and  our  guns  in  the  entrenchment  above.  In  this  way 
they  reached  the  summit  of  the  Ridge  held  bj^  a  bri- 
gade, which  did  not  wait  to  discharge  their  pieces,  but 
fled,  leaving  the  foe  in  undisputed  possession  of  a  large 
l^ortion  of  that  part  of  the  Ridge  occupied  by  our  left. 
Thus  Cobb's  famous  battery  was  lost,  not  however  until 
their  ammunition  was  expended. 

"  Night  now  put  an  end  to  the  struggle,  and  soon  the 
rush  of  wagons,  the  long  line  of  retreating  infantry,  and 
squads  sf  panic-stricken  stragglers,  told  too  plainly  to 
be  misunderstood  the  sad  truth  that  the  whole  army  was 
retreating  from  the  strongest  natural  position  in  the 
Confederacy. 

"Lewis'  brigade  of  brave  Kentuckians  was  ordered  to 
cover  the  retreat,  and  nobly  did  they  discharge  their 
duty.  About  one  corps  of  the  foe  pursued  us  as  far  as 
Ringgold,  where,  being  infatuated  by  his  fancied  suc- 
cess, and  supposing  that  we  were  routed  and  demoral- 
ized, they  fell  into  a  seemingly  planned  ambuscade, 
which  uncovered  itself  upon  their  flanks  and  front. 
Their  entire  first  line  of  battle  was  subjected  to  an  en- 
filading and  cross  fire  which  sent  whole  companies  reel- 
ing and  staggering  in  death.     We  captured  500  of  them, 


AuiTMX  OF   186S.  341 

and  so  completely  crushed  the  head  of  their  advancino- 
column  as  to  effectually  end  the  pursuit." 

After  reaching  a  safe  position,  General  Bragg,  at  his 
own  request,  was  relieved  of  the  chief  command,  and 
General  Hardee  placed  at  the  head  of  the  Army  of  Ten- 
nessee. Winter  quarters  were  fixed  at  Dalton,  Gd.,  and 
the  most  vigorous  measures  were  adopted  to  refit  and 
reorganize  the  shattered  forces  of  the  South. 

It  is  difficult  for  any  one  who  was  not  in  the  army  to 
conceive  of  the  circumstances  under  which  our  devout 
soldiers  often  worshiped  God.  During  a  seven-days' 
bombardment  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  a  scene  occurred  that 
shows  with  what  a  calm  faith  men  worship  God  in  the 
midst  of  danger  and  death.  All  day  long  a  storm  of 
shot  and  shell  had  rained  upon  the  city.  "  As  the  night 
shades  were  covering  the  wounded,  dying,  and  dead," 
writes  an  officer  of  the  26th  South  Carolina,  General 
Evans'  brigade,  "  our  zealous  and  beloved  chaplain.  Rev. 
W.  S.  Black,  of  the  South  Carolina  Conference,  gave  no- 
tice to  the  different  commanders  of  companies  that  he 
would  like  to  have  a  word  of  prayer  with  and  for  them, 
indicating  the  centre  of  the  line  as  the  most  suitable 
place.  It  would  have  made  your  heart  glad  to  see  those 
brave  and  half-starved  soldiers  (who  had  had  but  one 
meal  a  day  for  several  days,  and  at  this  time  were  break- 
ing their  fast  for  the  first  time  that  daj',)  throwing  down 
their  victuals  and  flocking  to  the  indicated  spot.  The 
Chaplain  gave  out  his  h^^mn,  and  then  officers  and  men 
united  in  singing  the  praises  of  God.  Oh !  how  we  felt 
to  praise  and  adore  Him  who  had  been  our  preserver 
through  the  storms  of  the  day ;  and  when  it  was  said 
'  Let  us  pray,'  I  imagine  that  I  (with  many  others)  had 
never  more  cheerfully  humbled  ourselves  in  the  dust, 
and  lifted  our  hearts  to  God  in  believing  prayer.  It 
seemed  to  be  (of  all  others)  the  time  to  pray  !  The  mis- 
siles of  death,  the  music  of  the  distant  cannon,  and  the 
sharp,  cracking  sound  of  the  sharpshooters'  guns,  were 


345  TnE    ORKAT    UEA'IVAL. 

in  striking  contrast  with  the  hallelujahs  and  praises  of 
that  devoted  band  of  Christian  soldiers.  At  such  a 
sight  angels  might  gaze  with  astonishment  and  admira- 
tion. Our  blessed  Saviour,  whose  ear  is  always  open  to 
the  plaintive  cry,  drew  near  and  comforted  our  hearts. 
Some  of  us  felt  that  all  would  be  well  both  in  life  and 
death." 


WINTER  OF  1863-'64.  343 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

WINTER   OF    1863-64. 

The  armies  in  the  field  on  both  sides  used  the  interval 
of  winter  to  repair  their  wasted  energies  for  the  spring 
campaign. 

The  towns  held  by  the  Federals,  and  those  besieged 
by  them,  continued  to  feel  the  heavy  hand  of  war. 
Charleston  had  a  terrible  bombardment  on  Christmas 
day,  1863,  which  makes  it  a  red-letter  day  in  the  history 
of  that  city.  No  person  who  was  there  can  ever  forget 
the  scenes. 

"  For  hours  before  the  eastern  sk^^  was  streaked  with 
the  first  gray  tints  of  morning  the  cold  night  air  was 
rent  by  other  sounds  than  the  joj'ous  peals  from  the  bel- 
fry and  the  exploding  crackers  of  exhilarated  boys.  At 
one  o'clock  A.  M.  the  enem}'  opened  fire  upon  the  city. 
Fast  and  furiously  were  the  shells  rained  upon  the  city 
from  five  guns — three  at  Battery  Gregg,  one  at  Cum- 
mings'  Point,  and  one  at  the  Mortar  Battery.  The 
shelling  was  more  severe  than  upon  an}"  former  occa- 
sion, the  enera}'  generally  throwing  from  tliree  to  five 
shells  almost  simultaneously.  Our  batteries  promptly 
and  vigorously  replied  to  the  fire,  but  without  tlieir  usual 
eflTect  in  checking  the  bombardment,  which  was  stea<iily 
maintained  by  the  Yankees  during  the  remainder  of  the 
"night  and  all  the  following  morning  until  about  half-past 
twelve  o'clock.  Up  to  that  hour  no  less  than  134  shells 
had  been  hurled  against  the  city.  There  was  no  more  fir- 
ing until  about  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  one 
more  shell  was  fired.  On  Sunday  morning  about  throe 
o'clock  four  shells  were  thrown  in  quick  succession.  There 
had  been  no  farther  firing  uj)  to  a  late  hour  that  night. 


344  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

The  damage,  we  are  glad  to  sa}',  bore  no  proportion  to 
the  severity  of  the  bombardment.  Several  houses  were 
struck,  but  in  most  instances  the  tremendous  missiles 
buried  themselves  harmlessly  in  the  earth.  There  were 
but  two  casualties :  Mr.  Wm.  McKnighton,  aged  83, 
while  standing  by  his  fireside,  had  his  right  leg  taken  off 
by  a  shell,  another  fragment  of  which  crushed  the  foot 
of  his  sister-in-law.  Miss  Plane.  While  this  heavy  bom- 
bardment was  going  on  two  fires  broke  out  that  burned 
several  buildings  on  Broad  and  Church  streets,  the  loss 
being  about  $150,000." 

The  work  of  the  chaplains  in  winter  quarters  went  on 
earnestl}',  and  prepared  the  waj'  for  the  extraordinary 
work  of  grace  which  blessed  the  armies  in  the  last  year 
of  the  war. 

From  the  army  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  now  under  command 
of  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston,  there  came  an  earnest 
call  for  Testaments  and  Bibles.  "A  soldier  showed 
me."  says  Rev.  S.  M.  Cherry,  "  a  Testament  a  few  days 
ago  that  he  had  brought  from  his  home  in  Tennessee, 
and  had  carried  in  his  side-pocket  for  over  two  years. 
Another  solicited  a  Bible,  sa3ang  that  just  before  he  left 
Missionary  Ridge  he  found  part  of  an  old  Bible  and 
read  it,  and  was  now  desirous  of  getting  the  entire  vol- 
ume of  inspiration.  Often  I  am  approached  by  the  sol- 
diers, who  inquire,  '  Parson,  is  there  no  chance  to  get  a 
Bible.  I  am  very  anxious  to  procure  a  copy,  and  am 
willing  to  pay  any  price  for  a  pocket-Bible.'  We  are  un- 
able to  supply  one-fourth  of  the  demand  for  the  Scrip- 
tures ;  .and  yet  we  know  there  are  thousands  of  Bibles 
all  over  the  South — that  are  rarely  read  by  the  pos- 
sessors. Almost  every  library  contains  a  small  pocket- 
edition  that  perhaps  has  not  been  opened  for  six  months, 
and  many  families  could  collect  several  that  are  perhaps 
lying  away,  dusty  and  mildewing,  upon  the  shelves." 

Under  calls  like  this  from  every  portion  of  the  armies 
the  families  of  the  South  sent  thousands  of  copies  of 


wiNTKii  OF  18G3-'64.  345 

the  word  of  God  to  the  soldiers.  Some  of  these  had  a 
few  lines  written  on  the  blank  pages,  saying  that  "  this 
precious  book  belonged  to  a  son  who  had  fallen  in  his 
country's  cause  ;  and,  though  prized  as  a  dear  relic  from 
the  battle-field  on  which  he  died,  it  is  sent  back  to  <iive 
comfort  and  light  to  his  comrades  who  still  struggle  for 
liberty  and  right." 

Of  his  work  at  Dalton  Dr.  McFerrln  says  in  a  letter 
to  the  Soiiihern  Chriatinn  Adoocate: 

"  Since  I  last  wrote  to  you  I  have  visited  some  of  th6 
hospitals,  and  preached  in  several  places  to  citizens  and 
soldiers  ;  to  the  well  and  to  the  sick  and  wounded.  The 
sermons  of  the  ministers  of  Christ  are  greatly  appre- 
ciated by  many,  whilst  others  'care  for  none  of  these 
things.'  There  is  need  for  a  great  work  of  God  in  the 
army  as  well  as  at  home.  Soldiers  and  citizens  alike 
need  the  revival  of  God's  work. 

"  Now  is  the  time  specially  for  the  distribution  of  re- 
ligious reading  matter  in  the  army.  When  the  soldiers 
are  cut  off  in  a  measure  from  the  preaching  of  the  Word, 
they  need  books,  tracts,  and  papers.  Let  them  come  as 
freely  as  possible. 

"  Well,  I  suppose  the  Yankee  papers  have  announced 
my  death,  and,  perhaps,  accompanied  the  announcement 
with  remarks  not  very  friendly.  Thank  God,  Mr.  Edi- 
tor, your  humble  brother  still  lives,  and  is  trying  to 
grow  wiser  and  better  in  these  times  of  war  and  cruelty. 
He  lives,  he  trusts,  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  soldier 
and  the  citizen,  and  to  minister  comfort  to  the  sick, 
wounded,  and  dying.  Yes,  he  has  had  the  privilege,  and 
felt  it  to  be  his  pleasure  and  duty,  to  pray  for  wounded 
prisoners  taken  from  the  enemy's  lines.  Yankees, 
wounded  and  in  prospect  of  death,  have  thanked  him 
for  his  pleadings  with  God  in  their  behalf,  and  for  point- 
ing them  to  Jesus,  the  Friend  of  sinners.  Let  my  ene- 
mies North  revile,  yet,  from  '  my  heart  of  hearts,'  I  can 
pray  God  to  have  mercy  on  them  and  lead  them  to  re- 


346  THE    GUEAT   REVIVAL. 

pentance  and  salvation.     'Bless  them  which  persecute 
you  ;  bless  and  curse  not.'  " 

We  have  already  referred  to  the  gallant  band  that 
General  Price  led  from  Missouri,  and  their  deeds  of 
valor  at  Corinth,  Miss.,  and  other  places,  are  well-known 
to  those  who  can  recall  the  scenes  in  the  Southwest. 
One  of  the  most  faithful  laborers  in  this  corps  of  our 
army  was  Rev.  Dr.  B.  T.  Kavanaugh,  who  has  kindly 
sent  us  the  following  account  of  the  revival  which  pre- 
vailed in  General  Price's  corps  on  this  side  and  beyond 
the  Mississippi : 

"  Among  those  who  came  out  of  Missouri  with  Gen. 
Price's  army  were  J  no.  R.  Bennett  (your  brother),  W.  M. 
Patterson,  Nathaniel  M.  Talbott,  and  myself,  besides 
Bros.  Minchell,  Harris,  Dryden,  and  McCary.  Subse- 
quently we  were  joined  by  brother  E.  M.  Marvin  (now 
Bishop)  and  others. 

"But  little  visible  effect  followed  our  preaching  for 
the  first  year  or  two,  while  the  soldier's  life  was  a  novel- 
ty ;  but,  after  two  years'  hard  service,  the  romance  of 
the  soldier's  life  wore  off,  and  a  more  sober  and  serious 
mood  seemed  to  prevail  in  our;  camps. 

"The  first  decided  revival  that  occurred  under  my  ob- 
servation and  ministry  was  in  the  State  of  Mississippi, 
to  which  State  I  had  followed  General  Price's  army, 
while  we  were  encamped  near  Tupelo.  Here  we  kept 
up  nightly  meetings  for  several  weeks  in  our  camp,  and 
there  were  some  fort}'  conversions  or  more.  Bros.  Ben- 
nett, Harris,  and  myself,  held  a  profitable  meeting  near 
Granada,  Miss.,  where  we  had  some  conversions ;  but 
for  a  length  of  time  the  army  was  kept  in  motion  so 
constantly  that  we  had  but  little  opportunity  for  re- 
ligious services. 

"  When  the  army  retreated  from  Big  Black  into  Vicks- 
burg  Bros.  Bennett,  Patterson,  and  myself,  rode  together 
into  that  devoted  city.  The  regiment  to  which  I  was 
then  chaplain  had  been  captured  at  Big  Black,  and  as  I 


WINTER  OF  1863-64.  347 

had  no  duties  to  pertbnu,  I  told  those  brethren  that  I 
should  make  ray  escape  from  the  cit}^  before  the  ene- 
my's lines  were  thrown  around  us,  and  requested  them 
to  join  mc.  Bro.  B.  refused,  saying  he  should  stick  to 
his  men ;  and  P.  refused  to  leave  B.  alone. 

"I  obtained  leave  of  absence  and  made  my  escape  by 
riding  all  night  alone,  and  found  mj^self  outside  of 
Grant's  lines  the  next  morning,  and  went  into  Selma, 
Ala.,  where  I  spent  the  summer.  I  requested  Bishop 
Paine  to  give  me  a  commission  as  a  missionary  to  Gen. 
Price's  army,  which  was  then  in  Arkansas.  I  obtained 
it,  and  left  the  house  of  Robert  A.  Baker,  my  cousin,  in 
Alabama,  on  the  15th  of  September,  1863.  I  succeeded 
in  making  the  trip,  crossing  the  Mississippi,  just  below 
Bolivar,  swimming  my  horse,  and  arrived  in  Gen.  Price's 
camp  early  in  October. 

"My  first  work  was  to  organize  all  the  chaplains  and 
missionaries  into  an  Association  for  mutual  aid  and  co- 
operation. Wlien  we  went  into  camp  at  Camp  Bragg, 
30  miles  west  of  Camden,  we  there  commenced  our  work 
in  earnest.  Through  the  winter  of  1863-'64  we  kept  up 
our  meetings  in  camp,  had  seats  and  pulpit  prepared, 
and  were  successful  in  having  more  than  one  hundred 
conversions. 

"After  the  battles  of  Mansfield  and  Pleasant  Hill,  in 
Louisiana,  our  armies  returned  to  Arkansas  and  made 
fvU  encampment  at  a  place  called  Three-Creeks,  on  the 
southern  line  of  the  State  of  Arkansas.  Here  I  com- 
menced preaching  on  the  10th  of  June,  1864,  and  con- 
tinued our  meetings  until  the  10th  of  September.  An 
extensive  revival  commenced  within  a  few  days  after 
our  meeting  commenced,  and  grew  in  interest  and  power 
to  the  close.  We  had  preaching,  beginning  at  early  can- 
dle-light— or  rather  pine-knot  fires  on  stands  around  the 
preaching-place.  After  about  ten  o'clock  at  night,  the 
preaching  and  other  exercises  at  the  stand  closed ;  but 
this  was  but  the  beginning  of  the  night's  work. 


348  THE    GUKAT    KKVIA'AL. 

"As  soon  as  dismissed,  the  young  converts  gathered 
in  groups  of  tens  and  twenties,  and  went  off  in  compa- 
nies into  the  adjoining  woods  ;  and  taking  their  friends, 
penitents  seeking  religion,  with  them,  tliey  spent  the 
whole  night  in  singing,  pra3dng,  and  praising  God.  I 
had  lodgings  close  by  the  camp  at  Mrs.  Tooke's,  a  sister 
of  Gen.  Buckner,  from  which,  night  after  night,  at  all 
hours,  until  morning,  I  could  hear  the  shouts  of  the 
new-born  souls  and  the  rejoicing  of  those  who  were  la- 
boring with  them  for  their  salvation. 

"This  meeting  continued,  after  this  manner,  until  a 
large  majority  of  the  two  brigades  were  happ'ily  con- 
verted. Before  we  had  progressed  very  far,  an  effort 
was  made  by  some  of  the  officers  to  interrupt  us  by  hav- 
ing 'roU-aiW  observed  at  nine  o'clock.  I  went  to  Gen. 
Parsons,  who  was  the  Division  commander,  and  request-- 
ed  him  to  suspend  roll-call  at  night  altogether.  He  said, 
'  Doctor,  I  will  do  anything  in  my  power  to  promote  this 
great  reformation  ;  for  I  assure  you  that  since  your  meet- 
ings commenced  I  ha,ve  not  had  a  complaint  entered 
against  a  single  man  in  mjj"  army,  and  the  people  in  the 
country  have  not  been  disturbed  by  a  single  soldier.' 
Roll-call  was  suspended. 

"The  people  in  the  country  around  us  became  inter- 
ested in  our  meetings,  and  attended  them.  The  remark 
had  been  made  by  many,  before  our  revival  meetings 
commenced,  that  it  was  very  difficult  for  a  man  to  be  re- 
ligious in  the  army ;  but  now  it  was  far  more  common  to 
hear  it  said  that  no  one  could  be  very  religious  unless 
he  belonged  to  the  army. 

"  Like  meetings  were  held  iu  other  camps  of  the  same 
army  at  some  ten,  twenty,  and  thirty  miles  from  us. 
Bros.  Jewell  and  Winfield,  of  Camden,  were  zealously 
and  constantly  engaged  in  the  great  work  in  the  encamp- 
ment near  their  homes,  and  were  very  successful. 

"At  Three-Creeks  I  had  the  efficient  aid  of  Bros.  Tal- 
bott,  Minchell,  and  Dryden,  from  Missouri,  and  a  Baptist 


WINTER  OF  1863-'64.  319 

chaplain  from  Arkansas,  whose  name  I  do  not  remem- 
ber. 

"To  sura  up  the  results  of  these  gracious  revivals  in 
the  arm}',  we  may  safely  say  that  at  Three-Creeks  there 
were  500  conversions.  Under  Bros.  Winfield  and  Jewell 
there  were  300.  At  Camden  and  Camp  Bragg  there  were 
200.     Making  in  all  in  Arkansas  1,000  souls. 

"  To  show  the  genuineness  of  this  work  of  grace  upon 
the  lives  of  these  converts,  we  have  to  remark  that  after 
our  camp  was  broken*  up.  and  the  army  was  put  upon  the 
march  to  distant  fields,  wherever  we  went  into  camp  but 
for  a  night  our  boys  held  praj'er-meetings  every  night, 
greatly  to  the  astonishment  of  the  people  in  the  country 
who  were  witnesses  of  their  devotion. 

**  After  the  army  was  disbanded,  in  riding  through  the 
country  in  Arkansas  and  Texas,  I  met  with  some  of  our 
converts,  who  had  returned  to  their  families  and  parents, 
and  they  were  still  true  to  their  profession  and  evinced 
a  decidedly  firm  Christian  character. 

"The  parents  of  some  of  those  young  men  have  since 
told  me  that  in  place  of  having  the  characters  and  habits 
of  their  sons  ruined  by  being  in  the  arm}^  they  had  re- 
turned to  them  as  happy  Christian  men." 

We  also  give  the  testimon}^  of  one  of  the  most  pious 
and  devoted  chaplains  in  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia. Rev.  P.  F.  August,  who  served  with  the  gallant 
Fifteenth  Virginia  regiment,  Corse's  brigade,  writes  to 
us : 

"The  loth  Virginia  regiment.  Corse's  brigade,  Pick- 
ett's division,  shared  in  the  blessings  of  the  great  re- 
vival in  the  Confederate  army.  I  have  the  names  of 
about  fift}'  of  that  regiment  who  were  converted  while  in 
the  field  of  service.  One  of  these,  J.  R.  Eddleton,  a 
very  young  man  from  Hanover  count}^  was  mortally^ 
wounded  in  a  skirmish.  When  borne  off  the  field  on  a 
litter  he  said  to  his  comrades :   •  Boys,  tell  my  mother 

,  how  I  went' — meaning,  Tell  her  that  I  fell  discharging 
15a 


350  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

my  duty  with  my  face  to  the  enemy.  For  twenty-four 
hours  he  suffered  very  mudi,  but  met  death,  not  only 
calmly,  but  triumphantly.  He  left  an  assurance  that  he 
was  accepted  with  God,  and  felt  that  the  blessed  Saviour 
would  save  him  forever.  His  dying  request  was  that  his 
mother  should  be  written  to  and  informed  that  he  died 
in  the  faith.  Many  who  belonged  to  the  15th  regiment 
are  now  living,  and  are  active  and  useful  in  the  Church, 
who  were  converted  in  the  army.  One  particularly  I 
would  mention — Captain  M.  W.  Hazlewood — well-known 
in  Richmond  as  an  active,  zealous  Methodist.  He  con- 
tinued in  tlie  army  to  the  close  of  the  war,  but  for  more 
than  two  years  he  was  very  wicked.  In  1863  he  gave 
his  heart  to  God,  and  went  to  work  at  once  for  the  great 
Captain  of  his  salvation.  He  was  instrumental  in  the 
army  in  leading  a  number  of  precious  souls  to  Jesus. 
Since  the  close  of  the  war  he  has  been  a  very  active 
member  of  the  Church  in  Richmond,  where  as  a  layman 
he  has  been  remarkably'  successful  in  persuading  sinners 
to  seek  the  Lord. 

"A  large  number  of  the  men  of  that  regiment  were 
pious  when  they  entered  the  arm3\  Their  perseverance 
in  serving  the  Lord  proved  that  the}'  had  on  the  gospel- 
armor.  Many  of  them  lived  through  the  war,  and  came 
out  of  it  strong  in  the  faith  of  God.  Others  fell  on  the 
field  of  battle  instantly  killed.  They  departed  covered 
with  the  honors  of  war  and  with  the  glory  of  a  saving 
faith  in  Christ.  Their  record  below  was  one  of  Chris- 
tian fidelity — on  high,  no  doubt,  it  was  acceptable  to 
God.  Among  those  who  deserve  to  be  specially  men- 
tioned are  the  names  of  Major  John  Stewart  "Walker,  an 
upright,  conscientious  Christian,  and  one  of  the  purest 
men  I  believe  that  ever  died  or  lived — also  Lieutenants 
Melvijle  C.  Willis  and  Jones  Daniels.  The  last  named 
two  were  bosom  friends,  who  likewise  fell  instantly 
killed.  On  the  same  field  and  about  tlie  same  time  their 
lives  were  yielded   a  sacrifice  to  the  Southern  cause. 


WINTER  OF  18G3-'64.  351 

They  were   lovely  and  pleasant  in  their  lives,  and   in 
death  thej'  were  not  separated. 

"Besides  those  of  the  15th,  I  have  quite  a  large  num- 
ber of  names  of  soldiers  belonging  to  other  regiments 
in  Corse's  brigade,  who  were  converted  in  the  army ; 
some  of  whom  I  have  met  since  the  close  of  the  war, 
and  who  assured  me  that  they  were  still  striving  to  get 
to  heaven.  When  Christ's  jewels  gathered  from  earth 
shall  be  displayed  to  an  admiring  universe,  I  doubt  not 
many  thousands  of  precious  souls  converted  in  the  late 
Confederate  army  will  shine  as  stars  forever  and  ever  in 
the  firmament  of  glorj-." 

The  earnest  purpose  of  the  home  Churches  Lo  pro- 
mote the  army  revival  was  manifested  by  the  number  of 
ministers  sent  among  the  soldiers.  We  give  a  list  of 
those  who  were  sent  by  the  Mission  Board  of  the  M.  E. 
Church,  South : 

Revs.  Leo.  Rosser  and  J.  C.  Granbery  in  the  Army 
of  Northern  Virginia ;  J.  B.  McFerrin,  C.  W.  Miller,  W. 
Moouey,  R.  P.  Ransom,  and  W.  Burr  in  the  Arm}'  of 
Tennessee ;  J.  S.  Lane  and  E.  B.  Duncan  in  the  De- 
partment of  Florida ;  J.  J.  Wheat  and  H.  J.  Harris  in 
Mississippi ;  W,  C.  Johnson  to  General  S.  D.  Lee's 
corps,  North  Mississippi ;  J.  J.  Hutchinson  to  army 
about  Mobile ;  and  beyond  the  Mississippi  river,  J.  C. 
Keener  to  Louisiana  troops,  and  B.  T.  Kavanaugh  and 
E.  M.  Marvin  to  Missouri  and  Arkansas  troops. 

Besides  these,  and  others  probably  whose  names  have 
escaped  us,  the  Conferences  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South, 
emulated  other  Churches  in  sending  forth  laborers  into 
the  great  harvest. 

Rev.  Dr.  Myers,  of  the  Southern  Christian  Advocate,  in 
noticing  these  facts,  says  : 

"The  Mississippi  Conference  appointed  one  mission- 
ary and  two  chaplains  to  the  army ;  Memphis,  one  mis 
sionary  and  six  chaplains ;  Alabama,  four  missionaries 
and  twelve  chaplains ;  Florida,  one  missionary  and  two 


352  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL, 

chaplains;  Georgia,  eight  missionaries  and  eight  chap- 
lains ;  South  Carolina,  thirteen  chaplains  ;  North  Caro- 
lina, two  missionaries  and  eight  chaplains  ;  Virginia,  two 
missionaries  and  twenty  chaplains.  Here  are  nineteen 
missionaries  and  seventy-one  chaplains  from  these  eight 
Conferences.  Of  course,  the  Conferences  beyond  our 
lines  furnish  a  number  also :  but  except  in  the  case  of 
the  General  JNIissionaries,  sent  out  by  the  Parent  Board, 
we  can  give  no  guess  even  as  to  their  numbers." 

The  Georgia  Conference  determined,  if  possible,  to 
furnish  one  missionary  to  each  Georgia  brigade,  and  at 
the  session  of  1863  the  work  was  begun  by  sending  seven 
ministers : 

"R.  B.  Lester  to  Jackson's  brigade,  Army  of  Tennes- 
see ;  A.  M.  Thigpen  to  Colquitt's  brigade,  near  Charles- 
ton ;  J.  W.  Turner  to  the  troops  in  and  around  Savan- 
nah, and  on  the  coast  below  there  ;  G.  W.  Yarbrough  to 
Wofford's  brigade.  Gen.  Longstreet's  army  ;  T.  H.  Stew- 
art to  Thomas'  brigade,  and  P.  O.  Harper  to  Gordon's 
brigade.  Army  of  Virginia ;  and  L.  B.  Payne  temporari- 
ly to  vifit  the  hospitals  between  Atlanta  and  Guyton  C. 
R.  R.  until  a  brigade  is  selected  for  him.  Another,  T.  F. 
Pierce,  is  now  in  the  State  military  service,  and  will  re- 
ceive his  appointment  to  a  brigade  when  his  term  ex- 
pires." 

That  a  faithful  minister  had  his  hands  full  of  work  in 
the  army  may  be  seen  by  the  following  sample  report  of 
a  missionary  : 

"Dec.  17,  18,  and  19. — Services  consisted  of  exhorta- 
tion, singing,  and  prayer. 

"20. — Sunday — Made  appointments  to  preach  with 
three  Georgia  regiments.  Went  to  them.  The  weather 
too  cold  for  service.     Visited  and  prayed  with  sick. 

"21. — Very  cold  day.  Visited  and  prayed  with  sick 
men. 

"22. — Regimental  prayer — also  visited  sick  men^ 

"2S- — Wednesday — Assisted  in  religious  services  &t 


.     WINTER  OF  1863-'64.  *     353 

Chaplains'  meeting;   in  the  afternoon  preached  in  

Georgia,  at  night  in  Georgia  regiment. 

"  24. — Exhortation,  singing  and  prayer  with  regiment. 

"  25. — Visited  sick  soldiers. 

"26. — Exhortation,  singing,  and  prayer,  with  regi- 
ment. 

"27. — Sunday,  10  o'clock — Preached  in Georgia; 

3  o'clock  held  prayer-meeting ;  and  at  night  closed  ser- 
vices for Georgia,  with  exhortation. 

"28. — Went  to  appointment  to  preach,  but  rain  pre- 
vented meeting.  Afterwards  held  a  meeting  for  exhor- 
tation and  prayer.  Then  visited  Brigade  hospital ;  talk- 
ed and  prayed  with  the  sick. 

"  29. — Had  regimental  praj^ers. 

"30. — Went  to  preach  for  a  regiment,  but  was  pre- 
vented b\'  its  going  off  on  picket  duty.  Had  prayer  with 
Georgia  regiment. 

"31. — An  unfavorable,  rainy  day.  Not  likely  to  have 
service  to-day. 

"I  fear  you  will  consider  the  number  of  sermons  as 
too  small.  The  cold  weather  and  rain  together  have 
prevented  the  congregations  from  assembling  on  several 
occasions  when  I  had  made  appointments  for  preaching. 
You  will  notice  I  report  prayer  and  exhortation  with  re- 
giments. I  have  assembled  the  troops  together  for  ser- 
vice, and  when  the  weather  has  been  unfavorable  to  re- 
maining in  the  open  air  I  have  given  a  short  exhortation 
and  have  concluded  with  singing  and  pra^-^er." 

The  experiences  of  soldiers  are  so  full  of  child-like 
simplicit}'  that  one  never  tires  of  reading  them. 

A  soldier  converted  on  the  march  was  met  by  his 
chaplain,  who  knew  that  he  was  under  conviction,  and 
asked  b}'  him  if  he  had  given  himself  to  Christ : 

"Yes,"  said  the  stalwart  warrior  with  a  glowing  coun- 
tenance, "1  have  found  him.  Why,  sir,  when  we  set  off 
on  that  march  I  felt  such  a  weight  upon  my  soul  that  I 
could  scarcely  drag  myself  along,  but  after  a  while  God 


354       •  THE   GREAT    REVIVAL. 

heard  my  prayers,  and  then  the  bnrden  was  gone  and  I 
felt  as  if  marching  was  no  trouble  at  all." 
•  Good  men  that  work  for  God  faithfully  die  well  even 
in  war,  on  the  field  or  in  the  hospital.  Captain  Thos.  O. 
Byrd,  of  the  Fourth  Mississippi  regiment,  was  a  zealous 
.Christian  among  his  comrades.  He  says,  writing  to  his 
friends  at  home  : 

"  I  have  prayers  in  my  tent  every  night  with  the  boys, 
and  assist  others  to  take  up  the  Cross.  I  have  jnst  had 
prayers  with  some  wild  young  men,  who  are  now  engaged 
in  singing  with  much  zest  and  feeling.  Oh,  what  a  field 
is  open  here  !  Fare  is  rough,  but  gladly  would  I  live 
thus  for  life  for  Christ's  sake  and  the  good  of  man.  I 
have  gained  a  great  victory  to-day.  I  believe  God  will 
bless  this  work.  I  feel  his  love  burn  in  my  heart  while 
I  write.  I  know  God  will  bless  my  labors  if  you  and 
Sister and  the  children  will  pray  for  me." 

Again:  "I  find  I  lack  courage  to  speak  out  for  the 
cause  of  our  holy  religion  more  than  ever,  and  you  know 
full  well  that  I  have  alwaj's  been  more  or  less  lacking  in 
this  particular ;  yet  I  trust  through  faith  an  1  prayer  to 
come  out  safe  at  last,  though  it  may  be  as  through  fire." 

He  sickened  and  died  in  the  army.  A  kind  lady  ap- 
proached him  as  he  was  nearing  the  verge  of  eternit}'. 
Said  he  : 

"  God  bless  you,  sister  ;  this  is  the  way  Jesus  went" — 
meaning  perhaps  alone  among  enemies.  "Tell  my  wife 
Farewell — all  is  right — to  meet  me  in  heaven." 

Another  Christian,  dying  in  the  hospital,  wrote  to  his 
wife : 

"I  don't  want  you  to  be  uneasy  about  me,  but  do  not 
forget  to  pray  for  me.  I  still  have  strong  confidence  in 
the  Lord,  and  endeavor  to  put  my  trust  in  him  in  all 
cases.  I  hope  the  Lord  may  take  care  of  you ;  and  if 
we  should  not  meet  again  on  earth,  may  we  meet  in 
heaven,  where  wars  and  sorrows  are  forever  gone.  God 
helping,  we'll  meet  you  thpre." 


M^NTER  OF  18r)3-'64.  355 

The  death  of  Col.  Peyton  H.  Colquitt  was  that  of  a 
true  Christian  hero.  He  had  served  at  Norfolk,  Va., 
and  as  Colonel  of  the  46th  Georgia  at  Charleston  and  in 
Mississippi.  On  the  field  of  Chickamauga  he  was  in 
command  of  a  brigade.  It  was  ordered  to  charge  a  bat- 
tery ;  and  while  riding  up  and  down  the  line  in  front  of 
his  men,  speaking  to  them  words  of  encouragement,  he 
was  struck  in  the  breast  by  a  ball  and  fell  from  his 
horse. 

His  friend,  Hon.  W.  F.  Samford,  wrote  a  touching  me- 
morial of  the  gallant  soldier,  from  which  we  extract  the 
following  account  of  his  last  moments  : 

"He  was  carried  to  a  shade,  and  there  the  chaplain  of 
liis  regiment,  Rev.  Thos.  Stanley,  attended  him.  I  give 
the  account  of  the  closing  scene  in  his  words  :  'When  I 
found  the  Colonel  he  thought  his  wound  was  mortal,  and 
though  he  had  not  recovered  from  the  shock  he  seemed 
calm  and  collected.  I  talked  with  him  very  freely  on 
the  subject  of  religion.  He  constantly  expressed  a  spirit 
of  resignation  to  the  providence  of  God,  and  that  he  had 
no  apprehensions  whatever  in  regard  to  the  future  ;  that 
he  had  tried  to  do  his  duty,  and  felt  in  the  last  hour  that 
he  was  accepted  of  his  Saviour.  In  this  hour  his  faith 
never  wavered — he  said  he  was  '  going  to  the  land  of 
light  and  peace,  where  he  should  meet  his  many  loved 
ones  who  had  gone  before ;'  and  again,  '  Tell  my  dear 
wife  I  go  to  meet  our  angel  child,  and  to  come  to  us.' 
At  one  time  he  said  :  '  The  providence  of  God  is  inscru- 
table, but  I  submit  in  hope.'  He  died  without  a  strug- 
gle. It  is  comfortable  to  know  that  all  his  wants  were 
supplied  during  his  sufferings.  He  experienced  no  pain, 
and  was  conscious  to  the  last  moment.  As  soon  as  he 
was  wounded  Gen.  Forrest  sent  his  surgeon  to  him ;  the 
poor  people,  who  had  been  bereft  of  all  their  worldly 
substance,  went  to  see  him  from  miles  around.' " 

While  the  work  of  grace  went  on  among  the  soldiers 
at  home,  there  were  thousands  of  prisoners  confined  at 


Sob  TTIK    r.REAT    REVTVAL. 

different  points  in  the  Northern  States,  who  felt  and  re- 
joiced in  the  power  of  God  to  comfort  and  save  in  tlieir 
helpless  and  suffering  condition.  A  young  wife  and  mo- 
ther, whose  husband  was  in  prison,  wrote  to  one  of  the 
leading  papers  urging  prayer  for  our  captive  soldiers, 
that  they  might  have  strength  to  bear  up  under  their 
trials,  and  that  God  would  remove  the  obstacles  to  a 
speedy  exchange  of  prisoners. 

Never  did  men  need  more  the  consolations  of  religion 
than  those  who  on  both  sides  were  held  as  prisoners  of 
war. 

The  winter  of  1864  was  extreme]}'  severe.  At  Cairo, 
111.,  the  mercury,  near  the  last  of  January,  stood  at  15 
degrees  below  zero.  At  St.  Louis  it  was  at  25  below 
zero,  and  the  river  was  crossed  by  heav}^  wagons  on  the 
solid  ice.  At  Chicago  the  guards  at  Camp  Douglass 
had  to  be  changed  every  30  minutes  to  prevent  freezing, 
but  were  all  frost-bitten  in  this  short  time 

The  Times  of  that  cit}'  said  of  the  condition  of  the 
prisoners : 

"  The  suffering  and  tortures  endured  by  the  prisoners 
was  beyond  the  power  of  pen  to  portray.  Unaccustom- 
ed to  the  Northern  climate  and  cold  lake  and  prairie 
winds,  their  light  Southern  garb  was  a  poor  protection 
against  the  ordinar}'  temperature  of  the  elements.  But 
with  the  winds  maddened  into  fury,  the  air  filled  with 
freezing  snow,  the}'  suffered  as  no  people  ever  suffered 
before.  Through  the  crevices  of  their  thin  board  bar- 
racks the  wind  whistled  as  if  in  very  mockery,  bringing 
the  snow  in  such  quantities  as  to  cover  the  floor  and  the 
beds  upon  which  they  had  to  sleep.  So  desperate  was 
their  condition  that  they  were  compelled  to  sleep  by  re- 
liefs. Dividing  off  into  squads  of  four,  two  would  re- 
tire to  their  cold  berths,  covering  with  the  blankets  of 
the  four,  while  the  others  kept  up  the  fire.  Thus  in  turns 
of  four  hours  each  did  these  poor  mortals  attempt  to 
brave  the  raging  of  the  storm.     In  many  cases  the  snow 


wixTj:n  OF   1863-64  3ii7 

had  frequently  to  be  sluiken  from  the  blankets  of  the 
sleepers.  With  all  their  ingenuit}'  they  could  not  keep 
warm,  and  numbers  of  them  will  suffer  from  the  expo- 
sure of  this  dreadful  storm  for  all  time  to  come.  To  add 
to  the  horrors  of  their  situation  many  of  them  were  sick, 
and  the  wailing  wind  and  searching  cold  added  fresh  ter 
rors  to  their  sufferings." 

This  is  but  a  sample  of  what  was  endured  in  all  the 
Northern  prisons.  Can  any  calamity  upon  a  nation  be 
worse  than  war? 

But  let  us  turn  from  these  sad  scenes  to  a  more  cheer- 
ful picture  opening  in  the  far  Southwest.  Beyond  the 
Mississippi,  as  Dr.  Kavanaugh  has  already  related,  his 
work  and  that  of  his  co-laborers  was  greatly  blessed  of 
God.  In  a  letter  to  Bishop  Paine,  of  the  M.  E.  Church, 
South,  he  gave  a  report  of  the  revival  and  its  results  in 
two  months  : 

"Gen.  Fagan's  Arkansas  Brigade — Members  received 
into  Army  church,  209  ;  conversions,  85.  Gen.  Church- 
ill's Arkansas  Brigade — Joined  the  Army  church,  112; 
converted,  35.  Gen.  Tappan's  Arkansas  Brigade — Join- 
ed, 245  ;  converted,  40.  Gen.  Parson's  Mississippi  Bri- 
gade— Joined,  85  ;  converted,  35.  Total  members  Army 
church,  651 ;  conversions,  195. 

"The  Army  church  was  organized  before  my  arrival; 
gotten  up  by  Bro.  Mar\in,  (now  Bishop  M.  E.  Church, 
South.)  aided  by  others.  It  has  worked  well.  In  Tap- 
pan's  brigade,  the  devoted  chaplains  have  built  a  large 
log  church,  60  by  30  feet,  and  are  determined  to  keep  up 
their  meetings.     I  dedicate  it  next  Sunday. 

"  I  am  greatly  delighted  with  my  work  on  this  side  of 
the  river.  I  have  gone  into  it  with  all  my  energy,  and 
indeed  over-did  my  strength  the  first  round ;  but  as  the 
weather  is  not  so  favorable  for  out-door  work  this  round 
I  shall  not  be  able  to  preach  so  often.  It  is  truly  de- 
li "-htful  to  see  the  work  prosper  in  our  hands  as  it  has 
done  for  the  past  two  months. 


858  TIFE    OUEAT   REVIVAL. 

"The  arm}'  here  has  gone  into  winter  quarters.  Every 
brigade  is  well-provided  with  log-huts,  and  with  all  that 
is  necessary  for  their  comfort  while  in  camp." 

"The  following  is  the  Constitution  of  the  Array  church 
organized  by  Bro.  Marvin  : 

'•Articles  of  Faith  and  Constitution  of  the  Church 
OF  the  Army,  Trans-Mississippl 

"The  Christian  men  in  the  army,  believing  that  the 
habitation  of  God  by  his  Spirit  constitutes  the  Church, 
agree,  for  their  edification  and  for  the  conversion  of 
their  fellow-men,  to  organize  the  Church  of  the  Army, 
with  the  following  articles  of  faith  and  constitution  : 

I.  We  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Tes- 
tament to  be  the  Word  of  God,  the  only  rule  of  faith  and 
obedience. 

II.  We  believe  in  one  God,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and 
the  Holy  Ghost ;  the  same  in  substance ;  equal  in  power 
and  glory. 

III.  We  believe  in  the  fall  in  Adam,  the  redemption 
by  Christ,  and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

IV.  We  believe  in  justification  b}^  faith  alone,  and 
therefore  receive  and  rest  upon  Christ  as  our  only  hope. 

V.  We  believe  in  the  communion  of  saints,  and  in  the 
doctrine  of  eternal  rewards  and  punishments. 

The  Christian  men  who  have  been  baptized,  adopting 
these  articles  of  faith  and  constitution,  in  each  regiment, 
shall  constitute  one  church  ;  who  shall  choose  ten  officers 
to  take  the  spiritual  oversight  of  the  same. 

Of  the  officers  so  elected  the  chaplain,  or  one  chosen 
by  themselves  for  that  purpose,  shall  act  as  Moderator. 

The  officers  will  meet  once  a  month,  and  oftener  if  ne- 
cessary ;  and  in  the  exercise  of  discipline  will  be  guided 
by  the  direction  of  Christ.  Thej'  will  keep  a  record  of 
the  names  of  all  the  members  and  the  manner  in  which 
their  ecclesiastical  connection  with  this  church  is  dis- 
solved." 


wiNTKU  OF  1863-64.  359 

From  the  Trans-Mississippi  let  us  return  to  the  banks 
of  the  Rappahannock  and  note  the  revival  scenes  as  we 
come. 

Writing  from  Kingston,  Ga.,  Feb.  4,  Dr.  J.  B.  McFer- 
rin  says : 

"We  have  a  good  meeting  in  progress.  It  has  been 
going  forward  since  Sunday  last.  Large  crowds,  mostly 
soldiers,  are  in  attendance.  Many  penitents,  some  con- 
versions, and  a  few  backsliders  reclaimed.  Last  night 
five  asked  for  membership  in  the  Church  of  God.  We 
give  the  applicants  choice  of  Churches  and  receive  them 
into  various  Christian  organizations — different  divisions, 
but  one  gnind  armj/." 

From  Dalton,  Feb.  3,  Rev.  A.  D.  McVoy  sent  good 
tidings  : 

"We  have  a  large  Brigade  church  built,  in  which  wc 
have  been  holding  services  for  two  weeks.  About  ten 
days  ago  we  commenced  a  series  of  nightly  meetings ; 
at  first  more  on  the  order  of  prayer-meetings,  Init  the  in- 
terest began  to  increase  so  rapidly  that  in  three  nights 
we  found  a  revival  springing  up  in  our  midst.  Great 
crowds  gather  nightly.  We  find  our  church  too  small. 
Large  numbers  are  seeking  the  Lord — forty  to  fifty  every 
night.  The  word  of  God  and  religious  services  seem  to 
be  befter  appreciated  at  present  than  ever  before  in  this 
brigade.  Men's  minds  appear  to  dwell  more  on  religion 
and  the  soldiers  more  concerned  about  their  soul's  eter- 
nal welfare.  The  meeting  is  progressing  with  increasing 
interest.  Eight  joined  the  different  Churches — one,  the 
Presbyterian  ;  two,  the  Baptist ;  and  five,  the  Methodist 
Church.  i\Iissionary  C.  W.  Miller  -is  preaching  for  us  at 
present  with  great  success.  A  number  of  ladies  from 
the  neighborhood  attend,  making  the  scene  very  home- 
like. 

"The  prospect  before  us  is  very  encouraging.  Wick- 
edness and  vice  seem  restrained.  ]\Iembers  of  tbi"; 
Churches  are  becoming  revived.    The  Spirit  of  the  Holy 


3 GO  .  THE    GREAT    RE\^VAL. 

One  is  present  and  felt.  Good  resolutions  are  being 
formed  by  many  in  every  regiment.  A  number  are  en- 
deavoring to  fulfill  their  promises  made  to  God  upon  the 
eve  of  and  during  the  late  battles.  We  are  expecting 
and  praying  for  great  things." 

The  work  of  Rev.  L.  B.  Payne  in  hospitals  in  Georgia 
for  one  month  was  27  sermons,  distributed  300  papers, 
18,000  pages  of  tracts,  and  about  32,000  pages  of  read- 
ing matter  in  books,  which  he  had  procured  by  soliciting 
donations.  Some  have  been  awakened,  others  professed 
conversion. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Turner,  in  and  near  Savannah,  Ga. : 

"He  preached  in  January  16  sermons,  travelled  about 
400  miles,  distributed  177  books,  conversed  privately 
with  several  soldiers  on  religion,  and  prayed  with  102 
soldiers  who  professed  to  be  seeking  Christ." 

Rev.  A.  M.  Thigpen  labored  in  Colquitt's  brigade  near 
Charleston.  In  the  23d  Georgia,  60  conversions.  The 
meeting  was  conducted  in  harmony  by  Presbyterians, 
Baptists,  and  Methodists. 

Rev.  Geo.  W,  Yarbrough  reported  from  General  Long- 
street's  army  near  Russellville,  Tenn  : 

"At  Petersburg  I  entered  upon  m}'^  missionary  work, 
having  been  thrown  with  a  large  number  of  troops  on 
their  way  to  this  army  ;  and,  Jiaving  been  supplied  by 
the  Evangelical  Tract  Society  there  with  a  variety  of 
very  interesting  religious  papers.  Dr.  Miller,  the  agent, 
promised  me  an  abundant  supply  as  soon  as  transporta- 
tion could  be  furnished. 

"  I  went  through  the  cars  on  Saturday,  furnished  all 
the  troops  by  way  of  preparing  them  for  the  Sabbath, 
and  was  glad  to  find  them  not  only  willing,  but  eager  to 
read  them. 

"I  find  that  Dr.  Stiles'  pamphlet  on  'National  Rec- 
titude' is  very  popular.  That  army  evangelist  may  look 
for  an  abundant  harvest  when  the  resurrection  trumpet 
rolls  its  notes  along  the  battle-fields  of  this  revolution. 


WINTER  OF  186o-'64.  361 

Tlie  faces  of  these  war-worn  veterans  often  brighten  at 
the  mention  of  his  name.  We  hope  to  see  him  in  our 
camps  again.     Heaven  bless  him  in  his  high  employ." 

From  Gen.  Lee's  army  Rev.  J.  M.  Stokes,  chaplain  3d 
Georgia,  reported  to  the  Southern  Christia7i  Adcocute. 

"Zion  is  flourishing  again  in  this  army.  There  are  as 
many  as  twenty  chapels.  We  have  had  a  meeting  in 
progress  two  weeks,  and  the  interest  is  increasing  daily. 
We  have  had  several  conversions,  and  there  were,  I 
reckon,  fifty  mourners  at  the  altar  for  prayer  last  even- 
ing. Our  chapel  seats  between  300  and  400,  and  is  full 
every  night  unless  the  weather  is  very  inclement. 

''Bro.  B.  T.  Lac3%  chaplain  to  Gen..Eweirs  corps,  visit- 
ed and  preached  for  us  about  a  week  ago.  He  preached 
US  a  most  excellent  sermon,  and  gave  us  much  advice 
and  encouragement  privately.  His  visits  to  the  differ- 
ent brigades  can  but  have  the  most  gratif3-ing  effect  both 
upon  the  chaplains  and  their  congregations.  I  wish  we 
had  just  such  a  man  to  every  division  to  superintend  its 
spiritual  matters. 

"There  is  a  great  harvest  here,  which  ought  to  be 
reaped  at  once,  and  if  it  should  pass  this  season  we  fear 
that  much  of  it  will  be  gathered  by  the  enem}^  of  souls." 

Rev.  J.  O.  A.  Cook,  chaplain  2d  Georgia  battalion, 
Wright's  brigade,  wrote  most  cheeringly  of  the  work  in 
the  same  army  : 

"It  would  do  your  heart  good  to  witness  our  camp- 
services,  to  see  the  immense  throng  that  crowd  our  rudo 
chapels,  to  listen  to  the  soul-stirring  music  as  with  one 
voice  and  one  heart  they  unite  in  singing  the  sweet  songs 
of  Zion,  and  to  note  the  deep  interest  and  solemn  earn- 
estness with  which  they  listen  to  the  preaching  of  the 
Word.  I  have  never  seen  anything  like  it.  I  can  but 
believe  that  the  blessing  of  God  is  upon  us,  and  that  he 
is  preparing  us  for  a  speedy  and  glorious  peace. 

"  Bible-classes  and  Sabbath  .Schools  have  been  organ- 
ized in  many  of  the  brigades.  The  soldiers  are  taking 
16 


S62  TirE   GTIEAT   REVIVAI.. 

great  interest  in  them.  We  organized  our  Sabbath  School 
a  few  evenings  since,  beginning  with  seventy  members. 
There  is,  however,  a  want  of  Bibles.  If  every  family 
would  furnish  one  of  the  several  Bibles  lying  about  the 
house  th.e  arm}'  would  be  very  well  supplied. 

The  great  chieftain  Lee  looked  with  the  eye  of  a  ten- 
der father  upon  his  noble  soldiers  engaged  in  this  work, 
and  to  promote  it  issued  the  following  order  on  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Sabbath : 

Headquarters  A.  N.  V.,  Feb.  7,  1864. 
General  Order,  No.  15  : 

I.  The  attention  of  the  army  has  already  been  called 
to  the  obligation  of  a  proper  observance  of  the  Sabbath, 
but  a  sense  of  its  importance,  not  onl}'^  as  a  moral  and 
religious  duty,  but  as  contributing  to  the  personal  health 
and  well-being  of  troops,  induces  the  Commanding  Gen- 
eral to  repeat  the  orders  on  that  subject.  He  has  learn- 
ed with  great  pleasure  that  in  many  brigades  convenient 
houses  of  woi'ship  have  been  erected,  and  earnestly  de- 
sires that  everj'  facility  consistent  with  the  requirements 
of  discipline  shall  be  afforded  the  men  to  assemble 
themselves  together  for  the  purpose  of  devotion. 

II.  To  this  end  he  directs  that  none  but  duties  strictly 
necessary  shall  be  required  to  be  performed  on  Sunday, 
and  that  all  labor,  both  of  men  and  animals,  which  it  is 
practicable  to  postpone,  or  the  immediate  performance 
of  which  is  not  essential  to  the  safetj',  health,  or  com- 
fort of  the  army,  shall  be  suspended  on  that  day. 

III.  Commanding  officers  will  require  the  usual  in- 
spections on  Sundaj'  to  be  held  at  such  times  as  not  to 
interfere  with  the  attendance  of  the  men  on  divine  ser- 
vice at  the  customary  hour  in  the  morning. 

They  will  also  give  their  attention  to  the  maintenance 
of  order  and  quiet  around  the  place  of  worship,  and 
prohibit  anything  that  may  tend  to  disturb  or  interrupt 
religious  exorcises.  R.  E.  Lee,  General. 


SPRING  OF  1864.  3G3 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

SPRING     OF     1864. 

The  preparations  on  both  sides  in  the  early  spring  of 
1864  gave  promise  of  a  year  of  great  battles.  After 
the  repeated  failures  of  six  successive  Federal  Generals 
to  take  Richmond,  General  Grant  was  appointed  to  tlie 
command  of  all  the  Federal  armies,  and  he  fixed  his 
lieadquarters  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  General 
Lee  confronted  him  with  the  Army  of  Northern  Vir- 
ginia. At  Dalton,  Ga..  was  General  Johnston  with  an 
admirably  equipped  army,  and  opposed  to  him  were  the 
gathering  thousands  of  Federals  led  against  him  hy 
Gen.  Sherman  in  the  memorable  campaign  that  ended 
with  the  capture  of  Atlanta. 

At  other  places  the  opposing  powers  brought  smaller 
armies  to  confront  each  other.  There  were  few  in  the 
South  that  did  not  feel  that  this  year's  work  must  de- 
cide the  great  questions  at  issue.  The  Confederate  gov- 
ernment made  another  call  for  men,  embracing  those  be- 
tween seventeen  and  eighteen  and  forty-five  and  fifty. 
The  strictest  measures  were  adopted  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  the  service  of  every  available  man.  All  ab- 
sentees were  recalled  to  the  ranks,  and  the  diffei'ent 
armies  brought  up  to  the  last  degree  of  strength.  The 
year  1864  was  to  witness  the  battles  of  the  giants. 

But  in  the  midst  of  all  this  preparation  for  the  hide- 
ous work  of  blood  the  revival  rather  increased  than  de- 
creased in  power.  The  deep  and  solemn  conviction  that 
great  events  were  impending  turned  the  thoughts  of  the 
people  to  God.  From  the  Confederate  Congress  came 
a  call  to  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer.  The  people 
in  the  armies  and  at  home  were  urged  to  call  upon  God, 


364  THE   GRKAT   RE\aVAL. 

"  That  he  would  so  inspire  our  armies  and  their  leader3 
with  wisdom,  courage,  and  perseverance,  and  so  mani- 
fest himself  in  the  greatness  of  his  goodness  and  the 
majesty  of  his  power,  that  we  may  be  safely  and  suc- 
cessfully led  through  the  war  to  which  we  are  being  sub- 
jected, to  the  attainment  of  an  honorable  peace  ;  so  that 
while  we  enjoy  the  blessings  of  a  free  and  happy  gov- 
ernment  we  may  ascribe  to  him  the  honor  and  the  glory 
of  our  prosperity  and  independence." 

The  Southern  people  strove  to  maintain  a  calm  trust 
in  God  in  the  presence  of  their  great  danger.  Even  iu 
beleaguered  Charleston,  while  shells  were  screaming  in 
the  air  and  falling  in  the  streets  and  houses,  the  people 
•  met  in  the  churches  and  devoutly  worshiped.  They  had 
encouragement  to  pray.  For  it  really  seemed  that  the 
shield  of  God's  protection  was  over  the  city.  An  eye- 
witness says  : 

"Probably  five  thousand  howling  missiles  of  death 
have  fallen  with  dreadful  crash  in  and  near  the  city,  and 
all  that  at  a  cost  immediately  of  about  five  lives.  And 
amid  it  all  the  people  of  God,  Sabbath  after  Sabbath, 
liave  assembled  at  their  places  of  worship,  and  thus, 
rising  above  all  the  commotion  of  war,  hold  communion 
with  Him  who  rides  on  the  whirlwind,  who  tempers  the 
winds  to  the  shorn  lamb,  the  infinite  God  reconciled 
through  Christ  to  a  sinful  world." 

From  the  armies  that  knew  how  each  passing  day 
brought  them  nearer  to  death  the  reports  were  moat 
cheering. 

"It  does  one's  heart  good,"  writes  a  chaplain,  "to  be 
at  some  of  our  Chaplain  and  Missionary  Associations 
and  hear  the  reports  come  up  from  the  various  regi- 
ments and  brigades  of  the  wonderful  revival  in  the 
army." 

Another  says  :  "The  awakening  has  been  ver3'  exten- 
sive. Strong  men  bow  themselves,  and  the  man  harden- 
ed by  three  years  of  war  and  the  corrupting  influences 


SPRING  or  1864.  3G5 

of  the  camps  comes  to  the  altar  of  prayer  and  'mourns 
his  follies  past,'  praying  God  for  pardon." 

"  We  have,"  says  another,  "  two  hundred  volumes  of 
religious  books  whicli  are  let  out  to  the  regiment  upon 
rules  adopted  by  our  Sunday  Schools." 

Among  the  most  touching  scenes  were  the  siicrament- 
fil  occasions  in  the  arm\^  At  such  times  all  denomi- 
n:itional  lines  were  forgotten,  and  Christians  of  all  the 
Cluirches  knelt  together  and  received  the  emblems  of  a 
Saviour's  love. 

Rev.  A.  G.  Haygood  describes  such  a  scene  in  the 
Array  of  Tennessee  : 

'  "We  invited  all  of  God's  children  to  join  with  us  in 
this  hol}"^  feast.  As  hundreds  joined  in  that  oft-used 
hymn — 

"  That  doleful  night  before  his  death, 
The  L'lmb  for  sinner^  slain, 
Did,  f.hnost  with  his  ilyini;;  breath, 
This  solcdm  feast  o-dain," 

many  CI  risLians  wept,  and  sinners  looked  seriously  and 
wonderin^^iy  on.  It  was  so  unlike  the  rude  scenes  of 
war.  I  shall  never  forget,  and  I  shall  alwaj^s  feel  it, 
vrhen  I  remember  how  these  rough-bearded,  war-worn, 
and  battle-scarred  veterans  of  three  3'ears'  fierce  conflict 
crowded  around  the  log — the  rude  altar  improvised  for 
the  occasion — to  celebrate  the  death  of  their  gracious 
and  adorable  Redeemer.  Three-fourths  of  the  commu- 
nicants— and  they  were  from  the  various  denominations 
represented  in  the  command — were  in  tears." 

The  religion  of  the  soldier  was  of  the  ber.t  type.  Rev. 
C.  W.  Miller  says  : 

"  My  observation  is  that  the  religion  jf  the  army  a[>- 
proximates  more  nearl}'  that  of  the  primitive  da3's  of 
Christianity  than  anything  which  I  have  witnessed  in 
the  halcyon  days  of  peace.  The  soldiers  situation  is 
peculiarly  favorable  to  the  growth  of  a  benevolent,  un- 


366  TTTE    GREAT    RE^^Y.\1., 

selfish,  and  primitive  piety.  Political  storms  disturb  not 
the  calm  of  his  soul.  His  musket  is  his  platform.  Tlie 
'love  of  gain'  finds  no  fostering  facilities.  Necessity 
has  taught  him  to  be  'content  with  his  wages' — eleven 
dollars  per  month.  Sectarian  strife  and  pulpit  gla- 
diators no  longer  warp  and  embitter  the  great  current 
of  his  heart.  And  thus,  freed  from  these  former  hin- 
drances, he  cultivates  that  religion  which  teaches  the 
heart  to  love  God  with  all  the  mind,  soul,  and  bod}-,  and 
his  neigbor  as  himself." 

The  worli  at  Dalton  while  the  army  lay  tliere  was  al- 
most without  a  parallel.  In  the  coldest  and  darkest 
nights  of  winter  the  rude  chapels  were  crowded,  and  at 
the  call  for  penitents  hundreds  would  bow  down  in  sor- 
row and  tears. 

Dr.  McFerrin  was  a  tower  of  strength.  He  won  his 
way  to  the  hearts  of  the  soldiers  by  his  candor  and  kind- 
ness, and  had  the  blessed  privilege  of  leading  thousands 
to  Christ.  He  was  ably  supported  by  other  missionaries 
and  by  the  chaplains,  and  under  their  combined  efforts 
such  a  revival  flame  was  kindled  as  is  seldom  seen  in 
this  sinful  world.  Dalton  was  the  spiritual  birthplace 
of  thousands.  Many  are  in  heaven.  Some  still  rejoice 
and  labor  on  the  earth.  "  Come  to  the  army,"  shouted 
a  missionary  to  his  brethren,  "for  the  harvest  truly  is 
great,  but  the  laborers  are  few." 

The  religious  enthusiasm  of  our  soldiers  did  not  fail  to 
impress  the  more  sober-minded  and  reflecting  among  our 
opponents. 

A  Southern  chaplain,  who  remained  with  our  wounded 
men  after  the  battle  of  Gettysburg,  wrote  to  a  paper  at 
home  an  account  of  a  sermon  he  heard  from  a  Federal 
chaplain,  in  which  he  contrasted  the  religious  spirit  of 
the  two  armies. 

"One  Sabbath  afternoon,"  he  says,  "soon  after  the 
battle  it  became  necessary  for  me  to  go  to  Gettysburg, 
and,  passing  through  one  of  the  principal  streets,  I  saw 


spniNG  OF  1864.  307 

a  little  group  of  people  in  one  corner  of  an  open  square 
engo.ged  in  public  worship.  Approaching  the  spot,  I  soon 
found  myself  in  the  midst  of  an  assemblage  of  thirty  or 
forty  persons,  mostly  women  and  soldiers,  engaged  in 
divine  worship,  while  around  them  was  a  throng  in  busy 
conversation  about  the  events  of  the  day  as  unconcerned 
in  their  manner  as  if  no  religious  services  were  being 
held.  The  minister  had  commenced  his  sermon,  and  I 
did  not  learn  the  text ;  but  the  subject  was  the  recogni- 
tion of  God's  providence,  and  the  sense  of  dependence 
upon  him  essential  to  national  success.  He  had  already 
spoken  of  the  utter  want  in  the  mind  of  thre  Northern 
people  of  this  feeling  of  dependence  upon  God,  and  of 
their  constant  failure  to  take  any  steps  to  secure  his 
favor.  He  was  speaking,  as  I  approached,  of  the  gross 
irreligion  and  unblushing  wickedness  of  the  Northern 
army  ;  and,  in  order  to  make  the  impression  deeper,  he 
drew  an  eloquent  contrast  between  the  spirit  of  the 
Northern  army  and  that  which  he  supposed  to  actuate 
the  arm}^  of  the  South. 

"The  Southtrn  army,  said  he,  is  one  which,  from  its 
commanding  Generals  to  its  lowest  privates,  is  pervaded 
with  the  senss  of  dependence  upon  God.  The  highest 
councils  of  its  military  leaders  are  opened  with  praytr 
for  I  is  divine  gu  dance  and  benediction.  Every  battle 
is  i)lanned  and  every  campaign  conducted  in  the  spirit 
of  pra3'er.  More  tlian  this  :  Every  soldier  is  taught  to 
feel  that  the  cause  in  which  he  contends  is  one  that  God 
appioves,  that  if  he  is  faithful  to  God  his  Almighty  arm 
will  protect,  and  his  infinite  strength  ensure  success. 
Thus  believing  t'  at  God's  eye  of  approval  is  upon  him, 
that  God's  arm  of  protection  is  thrown  around  him,  and 
that  God's  bann(  r  of  love  is  over  him,  the  Southern  sol- 
dier enters  the  field  of  battle  nerved  with  a  power  of 
endurance  and  a  fearlessness  of  death  which  nothing 
else  can  give. 

"You  may  call  this,  said  the  speaker,  fanaticism,  en- 


368  THE   GKEAT    REVIVAL. 

tliusiasra,  or  what  you  will ;  but  remember,  3'oii  are  figLt- 
ing  an  enemy  that  comes  from  the  closet  to  the  battle- 
field, that  comes  from  its  knees  in  prayer  to  engage  in 
deadly  strife,  that  comes  in  the  belief  that  its  battles  are 
the  battles  of  Jehovah,  that  his  smile  is  resting  upon  its 
banners  and  will  ensure  success.  With  what  indomita- 
ble strength,  said  he,  does  such  a  conviction,  whether 
true  or  false,  endue  men?  What  power  it  has  to  make 
every  man  a  hero,  and  every  hero  if  need  be  a  mart3'r ! 
How  can  we  hope  for  success,  contending  against  such 
an  array,  even  though  our  cause  is  just,  while  we  ignore 
our  dependence  upon  God,  deny  ourselves  communion 
with  him,  and  thus  lose  our  great  source  of  strength? 

"  I  do  not  care  lo  follow  the  speaker  further.  It  was 
with  mingled  emotions  of  sorrow  and  gratitude  that  I 
listened  to  him — sorrow  to  think  that  our  army  should 
fall  so  far  short  of  the  ideal  presented  by  the  speaker — 
gratitude  because  I  felt  that  in  many  respects  the  picture 
was  true." 

The  influence  of  many  leading  officers  of  the  Confede- 
rate army  was  fully  in  favor  of  the  revival.  In  a  letter 
from  Gen.  Johnston's  army.  Rev.  J.  J.  Hutchinson  de- 
scribes a  most  pleasing  scene.     He  saj's  : 

"Ten  daj's  ago  Gen.  Pendleton,  a  hero  of  Manassas 
meraor3%  preached  to  the  soldiers  at  Dalton.  General 
Johnston  and  very  many  other  officers  were  present.  On 
the  same  day  Major-General  Stewart,  who  is  an  Elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  assisted  in  this  brigade  in  the 
administration  of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper. 
On  the  same  day  I  preached  to  Gen.  Finley's  brigade, 
where  the  General  and  his  staff  were  present,  and  where 
he  united  audibly  with  our  pra^'ers.  Gen.  Cleburne,  the 
hero  of  many  battle-fields,  treated  me  with  much  atten- 
tion and  kindness — had  a  place  prepared  for  preaching 
in  the  centre  of  his  division,  where  himself  and  most  of 
his  officers  were  present,  and  where  I  was  assisted  by 
Brigadier-General  Lowry,  who  sat  in  the  pulpit  with  mo 


SPRING  OF  1864  369 

and  closed  the  services  of  tlie  hour  with  prayer.  I  par- 
took of  the  liospitality  of  Gen.  L.  at  dinner,  and  spent 
several  delightful  hours  in  profitable  religious  conversa- 
tion. The  General  is  a  Baptist  preacher,  and,  like  the 
commander  of  the  division,  is  a  hero  of  man}'  well-fought 
battle-fields.  He  takes  great  interest  in  the  soldiers'  re- 
ligious welfare,  often  preaches  to  them,  and  feels  that 
the  ministry  is  still  his  high  and  holy  calling.  I  wish  I 
had  the  space  to  give  you  more  of  his  interesting  life's 
history,  and  to  speak  of  this  noble  and  pious  ollicer  as 
he  deserves." 

The  same  missionarj''  saj's  :  "Never  have  I  seen  such 
a  field  for  preaching  the  gospel  and  inculcating  religious 
truth  as  the  Confederate  array  now  presents:  'the  fields 
are  white  unto  the  harvest.'  " 

In  man}'  of  the  hospitals  the  revival  was  deep  and 
powerful.  The  conversion  of  the  sick  soldiers  and  the 
happy  deaths  often  witnessed  made  a  deep  impression 
on  tlie  minds  of  unbelievers.  At  one  of  the  large  hos- 
pitals in  Tennessee  the  following  scene  was  witnessed. 
At  the  close  of  a  sermon  a  call  was  made  for  penitents. 
Among  others  that  came  forward  and  bowed  in  prayer 
was  a  surgeon.  At  the  close  of  the  service  he  took  the 
chaplain  b}'  tlie  hand  and  said  : 

"I  am  a  great  sinner!  I  have  a  pious  mother — was 
brought  up  in  the  lap  of  the  Church — studied  my  pro- 
fession in  N ,  travelled  and  studied  in  Europe — 

came  home  and  entered  the  army  a  skeptic  and  scoffer 
of  religion." 

"  But,"  said  he,  "  I  see  such  a  diflference  between  the 
death  of  the  believer  and  the  unbeliever,  the  question 
has  forced  itself  upon  my  mind,  What  makes  the  differ- 
ence 1  I  took  from  my  trunk  the  Bible  my  mother  gave 
me  five  years  ago,  making  me  promise  to  read  it,  which, 
in  the  excitement  of  worldly  pleasures,  I  had  wholly  neg- 
lected. The  sight  of  that  heavenly  book,  just  as  it  was 
when  she  gave  it  to  me,  with  the  remembrance  of  her 


370  TIIK    GUEAT    RK^^VAL. 

parting  kiss,  lier  parting  tear,  lier  parting  praj-er,  brought 
a  little  fountain  of  tears  from  my  e^es  and  a  prayer  from 
my  swelling  heart. 

"I  read  it  and  found  the  answer  to  the  question,  Wluxt 
makes  the.  difference ?  in  that  beautiful  text,  'Precious  in 
the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints.''  I  came 
here  to-night  resolved  to  accept,  publicly,  the  invitation 
of  the  gospel  which,  for  two  days  and  nights,  3'ou  have 
so  earnestly  urged  upon  this  congregation.  Oh,  that  I 
had  submitted  my  stubborn  heart  to  God  years  ago  !  I 
thank  God  tliat  I  am  spared  to  bear  testimony  here  to- 
night that  Christ  is  able  and  willing  to  save  the  chief  of 
sinners."  "Oh,"  said  he,  as  his  eyes  filled  with  tears  of 
joy,  "that  my  dear  mother  knew  that  her  prodigal  son 
had  returned  to  his  Saviour !  But  she  shall  know  as 
soon  as  a  letter  can  reach  her.  Oh,  that  I  could  have 
told  the  congregation  to-night  what  a  great  sinner  I  am 
and  what  a  great  Saviour  I  have  found." 

"Well,"  said  the  chaplain,  "with  your  permission  I 
will  give  a  statement  of  the  cause  of  your  awakening, 
and  the  state  of  your  feelings  of  joy  and  gratitude  to- 
night." 

The  histor}^  of  his  case  was  given  with  thrilling  effect. 

There  are  gleams  of  light  amidst  the  dark  scenes  of 
war.  The  devotion  of  the  Southern  people  generally  to 
the  cause  for  which  we  battled  for  four  years,  and  their 
cheerfulness  in  dividing  almost  the  last  loaf  with  the 
soldiers,  are  worthj'^  of  permanent  record.  Rev.  Wm. 
H.  Stewart,  of  Thomas'  (Georgia)  brigade,  pays  a  well- 
merited  tribute  to  the  people  of  the  Valley  of  Virginia 
who  felt  the  heavy  hand  of  war : 

'•  Let  me  say  something  about  the  affectionate  liberal- 
ity of  these  Valley  Virginians  toward  our  dear  soldiers. 
They  have  had  Jackson's  army  quartered  here,  and 
Shields'  and  Fremont's.  They  have  had  sheep,  hogs, 
cows,  horses,  and  negroes,  stolen,  and  their  timber  de- 
stroyed ;  and  yet  their  love  of  country  and  care  for  sol- 


SPRING  OK    1864  371 

diers  is  unabated.  Still  they  give  their  milk  and  butter 
and  lodging,  and  even  board  in  some  instances,  to  the 
soldiers  free  of  charge.  Some  of  them  are  known  to 
practice  self-denial  that  they  may  hare  more  to  spare  to 
the  soldiers.  The  dear  brother  and  sister  Peel,  with 
whom  I  board,  give  freely  at  all  times  of  the  day,  and 
often  at  night  prepare  supper  for  hungry  soldiers.  And 
now  I'm  about  to  leave,  they  say  that  they  have  not 
charged  a  Confederate  soldier  for  anything  to  eat  since 
the  war  began,  and  they  are  sure  they  will  not  begin 
with  me." 

The  general  fast  on  the  8th  of  April  was  observed 
with  great  solemnity  by  the  people  at  home  and  in  the 
army.  General  Lee  issued  the  following  order  in  his 
army  : 

Headquarters  A.  N.  V.,  March  30,  1864. 

General  Order,  No.  21 : 

In  compliance  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Senate 
and  House  of  Representatives,  his  excellency,  the  Pre- 
sident, has  issued  his  proclamation  calling  upon  the  peo- 
ple to  set  apart  Friday,  the  8th  of  April,  as  a  day  of 
fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer. 

The  Commanding  General  invites  the  array  to  join  in 
the  observance  of  the  day.  He  directs  due  preparation 
to  be  made  in  all  departments  to  anticipate  the  wants 
of  the  several  commands,  so  that  it  may  be  strictl}'  ob- 
served. All  military  duties,  except  such  as  are  abso- 
lutely necessary,  will  be  suspended.  The  chaplains  are 
desired  to  hold  services  in  their  regiments  and  brigades. 
The  officers  and  men  are  requested  to  attend. 

Soldiers,  let  us  humble  ourselves  before  the  Lord  our 
God,  a.s!;ing  through  Christ  the  fogiveness  of  our  sins, 
beseeching  the  aid  of  the  God  of  our  forefathers  in  the 
defence  of  our  homes  and  our  liberties,  thanking  him 
for  his  past  blessings  and  imploring  their  continuance 
upon  our  cause  and  our  people.  R.  E.  Lee. 


372  .  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

Rev.  S.  11.  Smith,  writing  of  the  observance  of  the 
day  in  Gordon's  brigade,  saj'S  : 

"I  have  no  idea  tliat  ever  before  was  there  such  a 
clay  realized  by  the  present  generation.  Old  professors 
of  religion  expressed  a  degree  of  confidence  in  God,  of 
an  early  deliverance  from  this  blood}-  revolution,  that 
astonished  themselves.  Who  can  tell  but  that  j'ester- 
day  was  the  birth-day  of  Southern  independence  ?  Oh  ! 
if  we  could  have  ascended  above  the  earth  and  looked 
down  upon  a  nation  upon  their  knees  before  God,  con- 
fessing their  sins  and  suing  for  mercy,  I  imagine  we 
could  have  heard  the  shouts  of  the  redeemed  and  the 
songs  of  the  angels  as  they  exclaimed,  '  Peace  on  earth 
and  good  will  to  raen.'  " 

In  Gen.  Johnston's  army,  by  general  orders,  all  mili- 
tar}'  operations  were  suspended  that  all  oMicers  and  men 
might  have  an  op2)ortunity  of  properly  observing  the 
day.  "The  great  stillness  of  the  men,"  says  an  eye- 
witness, "  exceeded  anything  ever  seen."  The  devout 
officers  joined  heartily  in  these  services,  and  some  of 
them  delivered  stirring  exhortations  to  their  soldiers. 

'•Gen.  Gordon,"  says  Rev.  P.  O.  Harper,  missionary, 
"takes  an  active  interest  in  religious  exercises  and  in 
the  spiritual  welfare  of  those  under  his  charge,  which,  I 
am  sorry  to  say,  is  not  the  case  with  all  the  officers  in 
the  brigade.  On  yesterday  (fast-day)  morning  his  bri- 
gade, or  all  who  chose  to  attend,  were  called  together 
by  his  order  at  sunrise  for  prayer  in  the  open  air.  He 
addressed  the  assemblage  in  a  sensible  and  feeling  dis- 
course. The  scene  was  most  affecting  and  impressive. 
The  morning  was  clear  and  brilliant,  and,  apparently, 
God  smiled  upon  the  sight.  The  assembly,  to  the  num- 
ber of  eight  hundred  or  a  thousand,  bowed  their  knees 
(and  I  trust  their  hearts)  before  the  Omnipresent  and 
Omnipotent  God.  The  occasion,  the  circumstances,  and 
the  brilliancy  of  the  lovely  spring  morning,  rejoicing  in 
the  God  of  nature  and  declaring  his  glory  and  goodness, 


SPRING  OF  1864.  373 

was  well-calculated  to  stir  to  their  deepest  depths  the 
souls  of  devout  worshippers." 

This  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  was  observed  with  the 
deeper  solemnity,  inasmuch  as  the  people  felt  that  they 
were  on  the  verge  of  tremendous  battles. 

"Most  of  us,"  said  a  chaplain  in  General  Lee's  army, 
"  have  made  up  our  minds  that  the  spring  campaign  here 
will  open  with  the  most  desperate  clash  of  arms  that 
freedom  ever  cost  on  this  continent." 

The  chaplain's  words  were  true.  In  front  of  General 
Lee  the  Federals  were  gathering  in  immense  strength. 
At  Dalton,  Ga.,  they  massed  their  finest  Western  army 
against  Gen.  Johnston.  In  the  far  Southwest  General 
Banlvs  had  a  heavy  force,  but  he  was  met  and  driven 
back  by  the  Confederates  under  General  Kirb}'"  Smith. 
And  now  from  the  soldiers  standing  in  the  very  front  of 
death  there  came  a  solemn  warning  against  the  frivoli- 
ties in  which  many  engaged  in  our  afflicted  land.  From 
the  Christian  Association  of  the  First  regiment  of  Vir- 
ginia artillery  an  appeal  was  sent  forth  against  "the 
gayety  and  pleasure-seeking"  of  the  times.  These  faith- 
ful soldiers  of  Christ  and  of  their  country  said  : 

*'We  believe  this  war  which  is  now  desolating  our 
land  is  a  righteous  judgment  and  chastisement  from  the 
hand  of  a  just  God  for  those  various  sins  of  which  we 
have  been  and  are  still  guilty  ;  and  we  cannot  believe, 
either  from  God's  revealed  word  or  from  the  dictates  of 
our  consciences,  or  from  the  teachings  of  those  princi- 
ples of  right  and  justice  and  morality  which  have  been 
implanted  in  our  breast  in  the  wise  and  merciful  provi- 
dence of  God,  that  it  is  right  or  proper  thus  to  answer 
God's  call  upon  us  for  mourning  by  sounds  of  jo}^  and 
rejoicing." 

They  urged  their  friends  at  home  to  join  them  "  in 
seeking  to  do  what  we  can  to  avoid  receiving  the  afflic- 
tions of  God's  hand  with  an  improper  spirit,  or  engag- 
ing in  any  frivolities  or  pleasures,  even  though  some  of 
16a 


874  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL, 

them  may  l)e  innocent  in  ordinary  times,  which  may  in 
any  Way  serve  to  turn  our  hearts  from  a  proper  spirit  of 
humility  before  God,  or  from  a  proper  sympathy  for  the 
mourning  ones  of  the  land,  or  from  that  proper  feeling 
of  sorrow  and  gravity  which  belongs  to  a  people  so 
deeply  afflicted." 

And  to  this  end,"  said  they,  "  we  ask  all  professed 
followers  of  Christ,  and  all  who  pray  to  the  God  of  na- 
tions, whether  they  have  engaged,  or  may  engage  or  not, 
in  these  things  which  we  condemn,  that  they  join  us  in 
special  prayers,  both  public  and  private,  to  our  Lord  and 
Redeemer,  that  he  will  so  incline  our  hearts  to  see  his 
will  that  we  may  be  of  one  mind  and  spirit  in  this  mat- 
ter, and  that  he  will  so  direct  and  guide  us  that  we  may 
do  the  things  which  are  right  in  his  hol}^  sight." 

These  were  noble  words  from  the  Christian  men  of 
our  army  who  stood  at  the  very  hour  they  were  written 
on  the  borders  of  that  dreary  Wilderness  over  which  the 
storm  of  battle  soon  burst  in  all  its  power. 

In  the  lovely  month  of  May  General  Grant  began  his 
movement  towards  Richmond.  He  crossed  the  Rappa- 
hannock at  Ely's  and  Germana  fords.  Gen.  Lee  sent 
two  corps  of  his  army  under  Ewell  and  Hill  to  oppose 
him.  The  Federals  assaulted  these  with  desperate  valor, 
but  were  repulsed.  The  battle  was  renewed  the  next 
day.  May  6th,  and  for  a  while  the  Federals  had  the  ad- 
vantage, but  the  lost  ground  was  soon  recovered  by  the 
Confederates  and  the  original  lines  restored.  "Every 
advance,"  said  General  Lee  in  his  report  of  this  day's 
bloody  work,  "  thanks  to  a  merciful  God,  has  been  re- 
pulsed." 

In  these  fights  Gen.  John  M.  Jones  and  Gen.  Jenkins 
were  killed,  and  Generals  Longstreet,  Stafford,  and  Pe- 
gram  were  bounded,  besides  many  other  officers  of  lower 
grade  and  a  vast  number  of  private  soldiers.  Among 
the  leading  officers  lost  by  the  Federals  was  Gen.  Wads- 
worth. 


SPRING  OF  18G4.  375 

Al  the  same  time  that  this  bloody  work  was  going  on 
in  Virginia  the  like  scenes  were  enacted  in  Georgia. 
Here  the  movement  was  towards  Richmond,  there  to- 
wards Atlanta.  General  Sherman  made  a  determined 
effort  to  flank  Gen.  Johnston  by  a  movement  on  Resaca ; 
but  the  sagacious  Confederate  silently  moved  the  mass 
of  his  arm}^  and  the  Federals  found  more  work  on  hand 
than  the}'  were  able  to  do. 

To  aid  Grant  in  his  movement  from  the  line  of  the 
Rappahannock  a  heavy  Federal  force  was  concentrated 
on  James  river  between  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  which 
was  held  in  check  by  Gen.  Beauregard,  who  had  come 
up  from  Charleston,  S.  C. 

Gen.  Banks  was  at  the  head  of  a  large  Federal  army 
in  Louisiana,  but  he  was  almost  as  unfortunate  there  as 
he  had  been  in  the  Valley  of  Virginia  earlier  in  the  war. 

The  battles  between  Lee  and  Grant  in  the  Wilderness 
and  at  Spottsylvania  Courthouse,  between  the  4th  and 
13th  of  Ma}',  were  the  fiercest  ever  seen  on  this  conti- 
nent. The  battle  of  the  12th  was  the  most  terrible  of 
all.  The  Federals  began  the  attack  before  daybreak, 
and  overwhelmed  and  captured  a  large  portion  of  Gen. 
Edward  Johnson's  division.  But  this  gain  only  aroused 
the  Confederates  to  greater  efforts.  Nine  hours  the 
battle  raged.  The  fire  of  the  artillery  was  an  unbroken 
roar ;  and,  to  add  to  the  awful  scene,  a  thunder-storm 
burst  over  the  field  and  flashed  its  lightnings  through  the 
sulphurous  clouds  that  hung  over  the  combatants.  At 
some  points  along  the  lines  the  men  fought  each  other  at 
musket-length  across  the  breastworks.  The  Federals  in 
line,  from  six  to  ten  deep,  would  come  boldly  up  to  our 
works  onl}'  to  be  swept  down  bj'  the  iron  hail  poured 
into  their  very  breasts.  From  daybreak  until  two  o'clock 
this  work  of  death  went  on.  The  limit  of  endurance 
had  been  reached.  The  Federals,  exhausted  and  shat- 
tered, withdrew  be3'ond  the  reach  of  Confederate  bul- 
lets.    It  is  said  that  many  prisoners  taken,  both  oflScers 


376  THE    ORKAT    nE^^VAL. 

and  men,  were  drunk.  We  know  not  if  this  be  true, 
but  if  it  be,  how  awful  the  responsibility  of  those  who 
dealt  out  ardent  spirits  to  these  soldiers,  and  then 
marched  them  like  beeves  to  the  shambles. 

After  this  battle  Gen.  Lee  Issued  a  general  order  in 
which,  after  enumerating  the  success  that  had  attended 
our  arms  at  different  places,  he  said  of  the  men  who  had 
fought  under  his  own  eye  : 

"The  heroic  valor  of  this  army,  with  the  blessing  of 
Almighty  God,  has  thus  far  cheeked  the  advance  of  the 
principal  army  of  the  enemy  and  inflicted  upon  it  heavy 
loss.  The  eyes  and  hearts  of  your  countrymen  are  turn- 
ed to  you  with  confidence  and  their  prayers  attend  3'ou 
in  your  gallant  struggle. 

"Encouraged  by  the  success  that  has  been  vouchsafed 
to  us,  and  stimulated  by  the  great  interests  that  depend 
upon  the  issue,  let  every  man  resolve  to  endure  all  and 
brave  all  until,  by  the  assistance  of  a  just  and  merciful 
God,  the  enemy  shall  be  driven  back  and  peace  secured 
to  our  countr}'. 

"Continue  to  emulate  the  valor  of  your  comrades  who 
have  fallen,  and  remember  that  it  depends  upon  you  whe- 
ther they  have  died  in  vain. 

"It  is  in  3'our  power,  under  God,  to  defeat  the  last 
great  eftbrt  of  the  enemy,  establish  the  independence  of 
your  native  land,  and  earn  the  lasting  love  and  gratitude 
of  your  countrymen  and  the  admiration  of  mankind." 

In  all  their  dangers  and  privations  our  soldiers  did 
not  lose  sight  of  their  duties  to  God,  and  on  every  occa- 
sion they  renewed  the  blessed  revival  scenes  of  more 
(juiet  days.  One  of  the  most  intelligent  army  corres- 
pondents thus  described  the  hardy  veterans  during  a 
brief  period  of  rest : 

"  I  rode  along  the  lines  to-day  and  found  the  men  rest- 
ing after  their  many  marches  and  hard  battles.  Some 
were  reading  their  well-thui-abed  Bibles ;  some  were  in- 
dicting letters  to  the  loved  ones  at  home  to  assure  them 


SPRING  OK   1864.  377 

of  their  safct}' ;  some  were  sleeping — perchance  dream. 

ing  of  the  bloody  work  still  remaining  to  be  done  ;  others 
were  enjoying  the  music  of  the  Brigade  bands,  as  they 
rehearsed  those  solemn  and  touching  airs  which  the  grand 
old  masters  of  the  art  divine,  in  their  most  holy  and  im- 
passioned moods,  have  given  to  the  world ;  and  others 
again  were  sitting  under  the  trees,  with  their  arms  stack- 
ed near  at  hand,  listening  to  the  word  of  life,  as  preach- 
ed by  those  faithful  servants  of  God,  the  hardy,  zealous, 
self-denying  chaplains  of  the  army.  As  the  army  thus 
rested — its  great  heart  quiet,  its  huge  arms  unstrung,  its 
fleet-feet  still — I  could  but  reflect,  and  wonder  as  I  re- 
flected, that  this  vast  machine,  this  mighty  giant,  this 
great  unmeasured  and  immeasurable  power,  should  be  so 
terrible  in  battle  and  yet  so  calm  and  gentle  and  devout 
in  the  hour  of  peace." 

And  of  that  noble  army  led  by  General  Johnston  in 
Georgia  another  writer  said  : 

"It  is  wonderful  to  see  with  what  patience  our  soldiers 
bear  up  under  trials  and  hardships.  I  attribute  this  in 
part  to  the  great  religious  change  in  our  army.  Twelve 
months  after  this  revolution  commenced  a  more  ungodly 
set  of  men  could  scarcely  be  found  than  the  Confederate 
army.  Now  the  utterance  of  oaths  is  seldom,  and  reli- 
gious songs  and  expressions  of  gratitude  to  God  are 
heard  from  every  quarter.  Our  army  seems  to  be  im- 
pressed with  a  high  sense  of  an  overruling  Providence. 
They  have  become  Christian  patriots  and  have  a  sacred 
object  to  accomplish — an  object  dearer  to  them  than  life. 
They  have  also  perfect  confidence  in  their  commanders. 
Such  an  army  may  be  temporarily  overpowered  by  vast- 
ly superior  numbers,  but  they  never  can  be  conquered." 
In  the  battles  of  this  season  thousands  of  godly  men 
cheerfully  gave  up  their  lives  for  the  cause  of  the  South. 
The  death  of  Maj.  James  M,  Campltell,  of  the  47th  Ala 
bama,  and  a  minister  of  the  Alabama  Conference,  M.  E. 
Church,  South,  was  very  sad. 


378  THE    GKEAT    RE^aVAL. 

Kcv.  Frank  Brandon,  missionary  in  Law's  brigade, 
gives  the  account  of  his  death  : 

"On  the  morning  of  the  14th  of  May,  when  all  was 
comparatively  quiet  around,  while  seated  in  conversation 
with  Maj.  Car3%  of  the  44th  Alabama  regiment,  a  sharp- 
shooter spied  his  head,  which  was  not  entirely  concealed 
by  our  breastworks,  and  fired  the  fatal  shot  that  pierced 
his  hat-band,  passing  through  the  head  and  killing  him 
instantly.  The  shot  was  among-  the  last  fired  by  the 
enemy  before  abandoning  their  breastworks  in  front  of 
our  division. 

"  He  was  a  gallant  officer,  never  shrinking  from  danger 
when  duty  called — cool  and  fearless  upon  the  field,  lead- 
ing the  veterans  of  the  heroic  47th,  in  the  hottest  of  the 
fight.  Owing  to  the  pressure  of  military  dut}',  he  was 
unable  to  preach  as  often  as  we  wished  or  as  he  desired  ; 
but  I  can  say,  after  having  been  intimately  associated 
with  him  ever  since  he  has  been  in  service — messing 
with  him  most  of  the  time — that  he  maintained  his 
Christian  integrity  and  ministerial  character." 

An  officer  of  the  18th  Virginia  cavalrj'  thus  describes 
a  scene  in  Gen.  Imboden's  brigade  just  on  the  eve  of  a 
fight : 

"Before  the  charge,  and  while  we  were  in  line,  the 
command  to  dismount  was  given,  when  our  noble  old 
chaplain  sang  a  hymn  and  then  prayed,  the  whole  regi- 
ment kneeling.  It  was  a  solemn  and  impressive  sight 
just  on  the  eve  of  battle.  And  God  blessed  our  arms 
with  victory.  The  chaplain  prayed  that  if  it  should 
please  God  we  might  scatter  our  enemies,  but  oh !  pre- 
serve the  lives  of  these  dear  ones  and  prolong  them  for 
thy  glory.  Truly  did  God  answer  the  prayer  of  the  de- 
vout old  man — they  were  scattered  to  the  four  winds, 
and  we  lost  not  a  man." 

Rev.  L.  B.  Payne  says  of  the  work  in  General  John- 
ston's army  : 

"Since  my  last    report,  which  was  for  April,  we  have 


SPRING  OF  1864.  379 

been  in  lino  oT  battle  or  on  the  march  nearly  every  day. 
Notwithstanding  we  have  had  prayer-meetings  in  the 
breastworks  several  times,  and  I  have  preached  some 
six  or  seven  times ;  and,  thank  God !  the  revival  still 
goes  on.  Souls  have  been  converted  every  time  I  have 
had  meetings  during  our  fights.  Some  twenty-five  have 
joined  the  Church,  and  thirty  or  more  have  been  con- 
verted in  the  last  month.  Several  have  professed  con- 
version after  they  were  wounded  and  come  to  the  in- 
firmary." 


380  THE   GIIEAT    KEVI\'AL. 


CHAPTER  XXII!. 

SUMMER    OF     1864. 

The  boast  of  General  Grant  while  the  movements  de- 
scribed in  the  preceding  chapter  were  going  on,  was,  that 
he  would  "  fight  it  out  on  that  line  if  it  took  all  summer ;" 
but  after  the  bloody  repulses  in  the  "Wilderness  and  at 
Spottsylvania  Courthouse,  he  thought  better  of  the  mat- 
ter, and  edged  his  way  down  towards  Richmond  until  he 
found  himself  in  the  position  formerly  occupied  by  Gen. 
McClellan.  This  position  he  might  have  taken  without 
the  loss  of  a  man  by  simply  moving  his  army  by  water 
from  the  Rappahannock  to  the  James  or  the  York,  and 
making  his  base  of  operations  on  either  of  those  rivers. 
But  with  a  strange  pertinacit}'  he  fought  his  way  down, 
losing,  it  is  estimated,  not  less  than  75,000  men. 

On  Friday,  the  3d  of  June,  Grant  appeared  on  the 
Chickahominy  and  attempted  to  cross  that  stream  at  the 
Grape  Vine  bridge.  General  Lee  drew  up  his  army  to 
oppose  him,  and  here  was  fought  one  of  the  bloodiest 
battles  of  the  war.  The  attack  began  at  daybreak.  The 
Federals  came  on  in  columns  of  ten  deep,  and  threw 
themselves  recklessly  upon  the  Confederate  works  only 
to  be  slaughtered  in  heaps.  Standing  behind  their  breast- 
works, the  Confederate  soldiers  received  each  assault 
with  the  utmost  coolness,  and  suffered  but  little  loss. 

At  one  o'clock  the  attack  ceased  and  the  Federals 
withdrew,  leaving  on  the  field  thousands  of  dead  and 
wounded  men.  It  is  asserted  that  here,  as  on  the  12th 
of  May,  many  of  the  Federal  soldiers  tumbled  drunk 
over  the  breastworks  and  were  made  prisoners,  while 
others,  after  firing  their  guns,  were  too  much  intoxicated 
to  reload  them.     General  Lee,  in  riding  over  the  field. 


suADiEn  or  1864.  381 

declared  that  the  slaughter  exceeded  that  of  the  12th 
of  INIay.  The  loss  of  the  Confederates  was  only  a  few 
hundreds. 

The  number  of  Christian  men  who  freely  offered  their 
lives  in  the  battles  in  all  parts  of  the  South  can  never 
be  fully  known  until  the  last  day.  Before  the  writer 
now  lies  a  letter  in  which  are  the  names  of  seven  minis- 
ters of  the  different  Churches,  who  fell  killed  or  wounded 
in  the  battles  .in  Georgia  on  the  line  of  General  John- 
ston's movement  from  Dalton  to  Atlanta.  The  writer 
of  this  letter,  Rev.  S.  M.  Cherr^',  says  in  reference  to 
the  mortality  among  the  ministers  who  fought  in  our 
armies  : 

"A  very  large  proportion  of  our  ministers  who  have 
gone  into  the  army  as  officers  or  soldiers  have  been  killed 
or  wounded.  Is  it  merely  accidental  or  an  intimation 
that  the  proper  sphere  of  the  preacher  is  to  minister  to 
the  spiritual  wants  of  the  soldiers,  and  not  voluntarily 
to  shed  human  blood  ?  Jesus  said  to  a  disciple  who 
wielded  a  sword  for  the  defence  of  his  Saviour,  'AH  they 
that  take  the  sword  shall  perish  with  the  sword.'  Should 
not  the  minister  of  peace  be  '  pure  from  the  blood  of  all 
men,'  and  not  simply  of  the  soul  but  also  of  the  body?" 

Among  the  most  eminent  men  who  buckled  on  the 
sword  was  Bishop  Polk,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  He  had  receired  a  militarj'  training  at  West 
Point,  and  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  offer  his  services  to 
the  cause  of  the  South.  He  commanded  a  corps  in  the 
Army  of  Tennessee.  On  the  14:th  of  June  he  fell  in- 
stantlj'  killed  by  a  cannon-ball  on  Pine  Mountain,  near 
Marietta,  Ga.  In  company  with  General  Johnston  and 
several  other  Generals,  he  rode  out  to  reconnoitre  the 
Federal  lines.  Reaching  the  top  of  the  mountain  about 
eleven  o'clock  "the  party  dismounted,  and  all  their  horses 
were  left  below  the  crown  of  the  knoll.  Some  one  had 
suggested  that  so  large  a  group  of  officers  at  so  exposed 
a  point  might  attract  the  fire  of  the  enemy.     The  sug- 


382  THE    OUEAT    REVIVAL. 

gcstion  had  scarcely  been  offered  before  a  shell  from  one 
of  the  enein3''s  batteries,  recently  planted,  about  nine 
hundred  yards  distant,  passed  very  near  them.  The 
group  tlien  began  to  disperse  in  different  directions. 
General  Johnston  and  Lieutenant-General  Polk  moved 
off  a  few  paces  together  and  separated — the  former  se- 
lecting a  path  lower  down  the  hill,  and  General  Polk 
proceeded  along  the  cone  of  the  knoll.  General  John- 
ston had  scarcely  parted  from  General  Polk  before  a 
second  shell  from  the  same  battery  struck  the  latter  in 
the  chest,  and  he  fell  without  a  groan. 

"Colonel  Gale,  of  his  staff,  who  observed  his  fall,  ran 
immediately  back  to  the  spot,  but  before  he  had  reached 
it  the  great  soul  of  his  loved  General  had  sped  beyond 
the  clouds.  There  was  a  slight  tremor  of  the  lower  jaw, 
but  the  eyes  were  fixed  and  the  pulse  had  ceased.  A 
three-inch  rifle-ball  or  shell  had  taken  effect  in  the  left 
arm,  above  the  elbow,  crushing  it  and  passing  through 
the  body,  and  also  through  the  right  arm  just  below  the 
shoulder-joint,  leaving  it  in  the  same  mutilated  condition 
as  the  left,  portions  of  the  integuments  serving  to  secure 
the  arms  still  to  the  frame.  The  opening  through  the 
chest  was  indeed  a  frightful  one  and,  in  all  probability, 
from  the  direction  of  the  missile,  involved  the  heart  and 
lungs  in  its  course.  Tlie  position  of  the  General,  on  the 
slope  of  Pine  Mountain,  at  the  moment  of  the  sad  oc- 
currence, accounts  for  the  upward  tendency  of  the  shot, 
as  indicated  in  the  course  traced  on  his  person, 

"  The  enemy's  battery  by  this  time  began  to  fire  with 
great  rapid it3%  and  the  body  was  borne  back  on  a  litter 
under  a  heavy  fire.  Upon  examination  of  the  pockets 
of  his  coat  were  found,  in  that  of  the  left  side,  his  Book 
of  Common  Praj'er  for  the  service  of  the  P.  E.  Church, 
and  in  the  right  pocket  four  copies  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Quin- 
tard's  little  work,  entitled  '  Balm  for  tlie  Weary  and  the 
Wounded.'  Upon  tlie  fly-leaves  of  each  of  these  little 
volumes,  indicating  for  whom  they  were  intended,  was 


SUMMER  OF    18G4.  383 

inscribed  the  names  respectively  of  General  Josepli  E. 
Johnston,  Lieutenant-General  Hardee,  and  Licutenant- 
General  Hood,  *with  the  compliments  of  Lieutenant- 
General  Leonidas  Polk — June  12th,  1864.'  Williin  the 
fourth  volume  was  inscribed  his  own  name.  All  were 
saturated  with  the  blood  which  flowed  from  the  wounu." 

Of  many  Christians  who  fell  and  died  on  the  field  of 
battle  no  record  of  their  d^'ing  testimony  for  Christ  re- 
mains ;  but  from  others,  who  survived  their  wounds  a 
short  time,  we  have  assurance  that  God  can  make  the 
death  of  the  soldier  not  only  peaceful,  but  triumphant. 
Maj.  Pickens  B.  Bird,  of  Florida,  was  wounded,  and  died 
in  a  hospital  near  Richmond.  When  ordered  to  Vir- 
ginia he  said  :  "I  never  expect  to  see  home  again."  In 
the  first  fight  he  engaged  in  after  reaching  the  lines  near 
Richmond  he  fell  mortally  wounded.  When  told  that  he 
must  die,  he  said  :  "But  for  leaving  my  wife  and  chil- 
dren, I  should  not  feel  sad  at  the  prospect  of  d3Mng. 
There  is  no  cloud,"  he  said,  "between  me  and  God 
now."  A  little  while  before  he  died  he  tried  to  sing, 
"Jesus  can  make  a  d^'ing  bed,"  &c.,  but  his  strength 
failed  him.  Resting  a  few  moments,  he  said  :  "Jesus 
ocm  make  a  dying  bed  feel  soft  as  downy  pillows  are." 

The  constant  movements  of  the  armies  in  all  sections 
of  the  South  at  this  period  of  the  war  greatly  interfered 
with  the  work  of  the  revival ;  but  still  the  fire  burned, 
aiid  often  on  the  outer  lines  the  most  delightful  meetings 
were  held  in  which  many  gave  their  hearts  to  God.  A 
writer  from  the  Army  of  Tennessee  said  : 

"There  will  be  more  Christians  under  the  leadership 
of  General  Johnston  in  the  next  great  battle  than  have 
ever  faced  the  foe  in  this  arm3^"  And  he  adds  :  "  Some 
of  the  happiest  men  I  have  ever  seen  were  in  the  battle 
of  Resaca." 

A  devoted  captain  said,  when  advancing  to  meet  the 
enem}'^ : 

" '  I  believe  God  will  take  care  of  me  ;  but  should  he 


384  THE    GREAT   REVIVAL. 

see  fit  to  take  me  I  am  prepared,'  Another:  'If  I  .am 
killed  write  to  ra}^  wife,  I  am  prepared — to  raise  ray  chil- 
dren 'in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,'  and  to 
meet  me  in  heaven.'  One,  while  suffering  greatly  of  a 
wound,  said  :  '  I  am  ready  to  die.'  A  noble  Tennes- 
sean  died  shouting  the  praises  of  God  on  the  gory  bat- 
tle-field. It  is  thus  that  raan}^  of  our  devoted  soldiers 
feel  and  die.  May  the  mantles  of  these  Christian  war- 
riors fall  upon  their  companions  in  arras." 

Along  the  lines  in  front  of  Petersburg,  after  General 
Grant  had  crossed  the  Jaraes  and  taken  position  on  the 
south  side,  the  meetings  were  resumed  with  great  inter- 
est and  success.  "  I  held  a  praj'er-raeeting,"  says  Rev. 
G.  W.  Yarbrough,  "in  our  brigade  (Wofford's  Georgia) 
the  niglit  after  my  arrival  here,  and  preached  to  the 
same  command  last  Sabbath.  It  affords  me  pleasure 
to  report  that  the  revival  fire  kindled  a  few  mouths  ago 
in  our  camps  has  burned  along  the  march  of  our  victo- 
rious troops.  Some  who  shook  hands  with  me  at  our 
last  sacramental  meeting,  two  night  before  the  second 
Wilderness  battle,  have  left  the  shouts  of  their  conquer- 
ing comrades  to  join  in  celebrating  a  grander  triumph. 
Others  remain  with  their  armor  buckled  about  them 
more  tightly  than  ever  to  illustrate,  amid  the  increasing 
hardships  and  trials  of  this  struggle,  the  power  of  our 
holv  religion." 

Rev.  A.  W.  Smith,  of  the  25th  Tennessee  regiment, 
wrote  from  the  lines  below  Richmond  : 

"We  have  in  progress  one  of  the  best  revivals  I  ever 
saw.  Twenty-four  have  already  professed  religion  and 
joined  the  Church,  and  fifty  and  sixty  mournerr.  are  at 
the  altar  at  every  hour's  service,  and  great  interest  is 
manifested  b}'  all.  Brothers  Taylor,  Godby,  and  White, 
of  Lexington,  Va.,  Carter's  battery,  have  labored  with 
with  great  zeal  and  effect." 

Rev.  L.  R.  Redding  reported  from  the  lines  near  Atlan 
ta  :  "A  most  gracious  revival  is  in  progress  in  Gist's  bri 


SUMVIER  OF  1864.  385 

fi^ade.  We  have  built  a  bush-arbor  in  rear  of  our  lino  of 
battle,  where  we  have  services  twice  a  day.  Up  to  the 
present  writing  (July  18th)  twenty-five  have  joined  the 
Church,  and  penitents  by  the  score  are  found  niglitly  a*; 
the  altar.  In  other  portions  of  the  army  chaplains  and 
missionaries  report  sweeping  revivals  in  progress.  Thus, 
notwithstanding  the  booming  of  cannon  and  bursting  of 
shell,  the  good  work  goes  bravely  on." 

Rev.  J.  B.  McFerrin  wrote  from  Atlanta  to  the  South- 
ern Christian  Advocate: 

"The  other  day  I  rode  to  the  line  of  battle  to  see  the 
soldiers  as  they  were  resting  in  a  shady  wood.'  To  my 
great  joy,  a  young  captain  whom  I  had  baptized  in  his 
infancy  approached  me  and  said  :  '  I  wish  to  join  the 
Church,  and  I  wish  j^ou  to  give  me  a  certiilcate  ;  the  Lord 
has  converted  me.'  I  gave  him  the  document  with  a 
glad  heart.  '  Now,'  said  he,  '  if  I  fall  in  battle,  let  my 
mother  know  of  this  transaction.  It  will  afford  her 
great  joy.'  Oh,  it  was  good  to  be  there  and  feel  that 
God  was  in  that  place. 

"  Yesterda^^  I  baptized  Col.  T.,  of  Tennessee.  He  is 
a  lawyer  and  a  statesman,  and  has  been  in  the  army 
from  the  beginning  of  the  struggle.  He  became  inter- 
ested on  the  subject  of  religion  months  ago,  sought 
Christ,  found  the  pearl  of  great  price,  united  with  the 
Church,  was  baptized  in  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity, 
and  now  sends  home  his  letter  to  have  his  name  recorded 
with  his  wife's  on  the  Church  Register,  and  I  trust  it  is 
inscribed  in  the  book  of  life." 

Rev.  Neil  Gillis,  writing  to  the  same  paper,  from  camp 
on  the  Chattahoochee,  said  : 

"I  never  heard  or  read  of  anything  like  the  revival  at 
this  place.  The  conversions  were  powerful,  and  some 
of  them  very  remarkable.  One  man  told  me  that  he 
was  converted  at  the  ver}-^  hour  in  which  his  sister  was 
writing  him  a  letter  on  her  knees  praying  that  he  might 
be  saved  at  that  moment.  Another,  who  was  a  back- 
17 


386  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

slider,  said  to  me  at  the  altar  that  his  case  was  hopeless. 
I  tried  to  encourage  him ;  discovered  hope  spring  up  in 
his  countenance  ;  then  commenced  to  repeat  such  pro- 
mises in  the  Scriptures  as  I  could  remember,  and  while 
I  repeated  :  'Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou 
shalt  be  saved,'  he  bounded  to  his  feet  and  began  to 
point  others  to  the  Cross  with  most  remarkable  success." 

Not  only  in  the  army  at  home  did  our  soldiers  mani- 
fest the  deepest  interest  in  religion,  but  even  in  the 
dreary  prisons  of  the  North  they  prayed  for  and  received 
the  Divine  blessing.  An  officer  at  Johnson's  Island 
writes  to  the  Southern  Presbyterian : 

*'  This  is  the  last  quarter  of  a  long,  long  twelve-months' 
corrfinement.  I  try  to  pass  my  time  as  profitably  as  I 
can.  We  have  preaching  regularly  every  Sabbath, 
prayer-meetings  two  or  three  times  a  week,  and  worship 
in  my  room  every  night.  We  also  have  a  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association,  Masonic  meetings,  etc.  I  attend 
all  of  these  and  fill  out  the  rest  of  my  time  by  reading 
the  Bible.  We  have  had  some  precious  religious  times. 
There  have  been  about  one  hundred  conversions ;  col- 
onels, majors,  captains,  and  lieutenants,  being  among  the 
number." 

A  lieutenant  writes  thus :  "  I  am  glad  to  state  that  I 
am  a  better  man  than  when  you  saw  me  last.  There  are 
about  two  thousand  officers  here,  and  I  never  have  seen 
so  great  a  change  in  the  morals  of  any  set  of  men  as 
has  been  here  in  the  last  four  months," 

The  incidents  of  the  campaign  for  this  season  are  rich 
id  spiritual  fruits.  Tn  hospital  and  on  the  open  field 
the  Christian'soldiers  met  death  bravely.  Said  a  }'Oung 
Kentuckian  to  a  minister  who  asked  him,  "  Do  you  think 
you  will  recover?"  "No,"  said  he,  "tell  my  brother 
that  1  died  in  a  hol}"^  cause,  and  am  ready  to  meet  God." 
It  is  now,  in  times  of  great  peace,  a  matter  of  wonder 
how  men  could  calmly  worship  under  the  fire  of  formi- 
dable batteries.     "  Late  one  afternoon,"  says  Rev.  C.  W. 


siiMJrER  or  1864.  387 

Miller,  writing  of  the  scenes  on  the  retreat  from  Dalton, 
"the  firing  along  the  line  had  lulled,  and  the  writer  call- 
ed the  brigade  together  for  worship.  A  chapter  from  the 
Hoi}'-  Book  had  been  read,  a  song  sung,  and  several  fer- 
vent prayers  offered.  Presently,  while  a  soldier  was 
prajnng,  and  all  were  devoutly  kneeling  before  God,  a 
distant  report  as  of  the  discharge  of  artillery  was  heard  ; 
then  in  an  instant  ivhirr,  lohirr,  whirr — boom!  went  a  32- 
pound  shell  just  above  our  heads,  and  buried  its  frag- 
ments in  the  hillside  a  little  beyond  us.  But  the  'de- 
vout soldier'  prayed  on.  Another  and  another  shell 
shrieked  above  us,  but  the  prayer  was  regularly  finished, 
the  preacher  pronounced  the  benediction,  and  the  men 
went  to  their  casemates,  as  they  called  their  holes  in  the 
ground.  I  have  related  this  incident  to  show  you  how 
indifferent  men  become  to  danger  under  the  indurating 
influence  of  war." 

It  is  a  pleasing  fact  to  remember  that  the  Federal 
prisoners  were  not  neglected  by  our  faithful  ministers. 

"  We  have  seen,"  says  an  eye  witness,  "  a  group  of 
wounded  Federal  soldiers,  with  broken  arms,  shattered 
legs,  and  bleeding  sides,  solemnly  engaged  in  prayer, 
the  missionary  leading  their  devotions ;  and  while  he  in- 
voked God's  mercy  the  big  tear  would  glisten  in  the  e3''e 
or  roll  down  the  bronzed  cheek.  Then  we  exclaimed, — 
'It  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation, 
that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  the  world  to  save  sinners : 
and  that  God  is  no  respecter  of  persons.'  Thank  God 
for  a  gospel  that  offers  salvation  to  every  son  of  Adam." 

It  is  even  now  a  source  of  pleasure  to  recall  the  scenes 
in  war-daj's  when  the  eager  men  gathered  to  hear  the 
Word.  A  chaplain  thus  describes  a  scene  in  which  he 
was  the  chief  actor  : 

'"Under  the  shadow  of  one  of  those  beautiful  forests 
of  oak  (alas  !  they  have  all  been  destroyed)  that  sur- 
rounded the  little  village,  in  silence  and  solemnity  the 
soldiers  gathered  together.     Generally,  they  waited  un- 


388  THE    GREAT    nE^TV'AL. 

til  I  had  chosen  my  position ;  and  then,  without  any  for- 
mality, but  without  the  slightest  levit}^  the}'  took  their 
seats  on  tlieir  oil-cloths  or  blankets,  against  the  trees, 
on  projecting  roots  or  rude  stools,  or  on  anything  that 
would  be  a  protection  from  the  damp  earth — some  even 
taking  off  their  coats  or  hats  to  sit  on.  Nor  did  they  sit 
as  in  churches  at  home  (for  surely  that  was  a  church  and 
a  fit  temple  likewise),  only  in  front  of  the  speaker ;  but 
crowding  near  him  and  all  around  him,  and  near  one  an- 
other, they  seemed  to  think  that  there  was  influence  and 
warmth  in  contact,  and  that  the  words  of  the  speaker 
would  become  cold  were  they  at  any  distance.  My  gra- 
vity was  very  nearly  upset,  my  lips  twitched,  when  a 
kind-hearted  brother  (I  hope  he  will  excuse  this)  spoke 
quite  authoritatively  to  his  comrades,  '  Stand  back,  bo3's, 
give  the  young  man  ivalking  room  ;  he  can't  sliuut.'  Not 
being  one  of  the  'shouting'  sort,  I  didn't  need  perliaps 
as  much  space  ;  but  I  was  always  obliged  for  '  walking 
room.'  ■' 

Let  not  the  skeptical  reader  think  that  the  religion  of 
such  worshi[)pers  was  witliout  depth  and  power.  Many 
of  them  were,  it  is  true,  plain,  unlettered  men,  but  in 
sincerit}^  and  faith  they  have  hardly  ever  been  surpass- 
ed. "Can  I  do  an^'thing  for  you?"  said  a  missionary, 
kneeling  by  a  dying  soldier.  "Yes;  write  to  my  wife," 
was  the  feeble  reply.  "What  shall  I  write?"  In  a  whis- 
per he  replied,  "Say  to  my  dear  wife  it's  all  right."  The 
words  were  written  uown.  "What  more  shall  I  write?" 
said  the  minister.  "Nothing  else — all's  right,"  and  then 
he  died.     He  was  converted  in  the  army. 

Out  in  an  old  stable  lay  a  number  of  wounded  men. 
Among  them  was  a  man  whose  head  was  frosted  with 
years.  The  minister  approached  him  and  said,  "My 
friend,  you  are  an  old  man.  Do  you  enjoj'  the  comforts 
of  religion?"  "O  yes,"  replie<I  tlie  p/oor  fellow,  "I  have 
been  a  member  of  the  Church  for  25  years.  Often  in 
our  little  church  at  home  the  minister  lold  us  that  reli- 


SUMIMER  OF   1864.  389 

gion  was  good  under  all  circumstances,  and  now  I  have 
found  his  words  true,  for  even  here  in  this  old  stable, 
with  my  leg  amputated  and  sur''ounded  by  the  dead  and 
dying,  I  am  just  as  happy  as  I  can  be — religion  is  good 
even  here,  and  I  want  you  to  tell  the  people  so  when  you 
preach  to  them." 

The  following  touching  scene  is  described  by  Rev.  J. 
A.  Parker,  who  labored  as  an  army  chaplain.  He  was 
convej'ing  a  number  of  wounded  soldiers  by  water  to  the 
hospitals  at  Mobile : 

"  At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  started  in  a  skiff 
for  the  city.  The  wind  was  high  and  the  water  rough. 
Poor  wounded  men,  how  they  suffered  the  pangs  of  thirst, 
with  no  water  save  that  from  the  bay.  A  young  soldier, 
whom  I  had  premised  to  convey  to  the  city,  lay  senseless 
the  most  of  the  morning.  About  midday  he  roused  up 
and  asked,  'How  far?'  *In  sight  of  the  city,'  said  I. 
After  lying  quiet  awhile,  he  asked  why  it  was  so  dark. 
I  told  him  it  was  not  dark — that  it  was  light  and  I  could 
see  the  city,  and  that  we  would  soon  relieve  him  of  the 
rough  sailing  and  make  him  comfortable.  I  then  left 
him  and  went  to  the  other  end  of  the  boat  to  use  an  oar, 
for  we  were  drifting.  He  soon  asked  for  the  preacher, 
and  I  returned  to  him.  He  called  for  water,  which  I 
dipped  in  a  tin-cup  from  the  bay  and  gave  him.  After 
drinking,  he  asked  to  be  sheltered  from  the  sun.  Tias 
we  could  not  do,  but  we  encouraged  him  by  our  approach 
to  the  city.  'Yes,'  he  replied,  'shut  my  ej^es  and  let 
me  go  to  the  city.  I  am  going  home — almost  there.* 
He  closed  his  e^^es  and  died." 

A  writer  in  the  Christian  Sun  gives  a  touching  scene 
in  which  a  Christian  soldier  met  his  death  : 

"On  the  lines  near  Petersburg,  Va,,  on  a  beautiful 
morning  in  the  last  days  of  summer,  a  young  soldier, 
connected  with  a  Georgia  regiment,  might  have  been 
seen  seated  in  a  ravine,  and  at  the  mouth  of  a  bomb- 
proof, which  had  been  made  in  the  side  of  the  hill,  read- 


390  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

ing  carefully  the  word  of  God.  This  young  man  had 
come  to  be  regarded  the  model  man  of  the  regiment  for 
morality  and  devout  piety.  He  entered  the  army  at  the 
commencement  of  the  war  a  Christian,  and  maintained 
his  reputation  untarnished  through  all  the  immoralities  of 
camp-life,  daily  becoming  more  devout  and  more  Christ- 
like in  his  spirit  and  conversation.  He  was,  in  person, 
well  formed,  yet  not  very  robust,  his  hair  rather  dark, 
and  his  eyes  a  deep  blue,  with  a  ver}'  light  beard.  In 
manners  he  was  as  gentle  as  a  woman,  yet  his  comrades 
assured  me  that  in  battle  he  was  as  bold  as  a  lion  and 
as  brave  as  the  bravest.  The  Bible  from  which  he  was 
reading  on  the  morning  referred  to  was  the  gift  of  a  pi- 
ous mother  on  entering  the  service.  He  had  carefully 
preserved  it  through  all  the  weary  marches  and  hard- 
fought  battles  in  which  his  regiment  had  participated, 
and  a  mother's  praj'ers  had  followed  with  it  wherever  he 
went.  While  intently  reading,  and  so  absorbed  as  not 
even  to  hear  for  the  moment  the  bursting  mortar-shells 
around  him,  a  comrade  came  running  to  tell  him  that  a 
special  friend  of  his  own  company  had  been  killed  in 
the  trenches  b^'  the  bursting  of  a  shell  among  them.  He 
closed  his  Bible,  and  clenching  it  in  his  hand,  ran  to  the 
place  where  his  frientl  lay  dead.  Just  as  he  arrived  at 
the  spot,  and  his  ej^es  rested  on  the  mangled  form,  a 
parrot-shell  came  whizzing,  and  exploding  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity,  he  was  struck  on  the  head  and  instantly 
killed.  He  fell  on  the  body  of  his  lifeless  comrade,  still 
clasping  his  Bible,  even  in  death  holding  on  to  the  Word 
of  Life." 

The  amazing  labor  of  the  armies  in  Virginia  and 
Georgia,  the  two  most  important  points  of  military  ope- 
rations at  this  period,  did  not  abate  the  religious  ardor 
of  the  soldiers.  In  a  letter  from  the  lines  in  front  of 
Atlanta  the  Kev.  S.  M.  Cherry  gives  an  account  oi  the 
scenes  he  witnessed  on  a  Sabbath  day  : 

"At  9  A.  M.  I  reached  the  Missouri  brigade  of  Gen. 


su>niER  OF  1364.  891 

French's  division,  and  found  the  soldiers  gathering  Tor 
prayer-meeting.  At  11  o'clock  brother  Bounds  was  to 
preach  the  funeral  sermon  of  Rev.  Mr.  Manning,  a  pious 
3'oung  minister  of  the  Cumberland  Presbj'terian  Church, 
recently  appointed  chaplain  of  a  Missouri  regiment,  but 
before  he  received  his  commission  he  was  killed  in  bat- 
tle while  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  an  officer  of 
the  line.  As  I  approached  Sears'  Mississippi  brigade  I 
saw  a  group  of  soldiers,  with  uncovered  heads,  bowing 
beside  a  row  of  new-made  graves,  two  of  which  con- 
tained the  forms  of  comrades  now  being  consigned  to 
the  cold  clay.  Chaplain  Lattiraore  was  engaged  in 
prayer.  I  joined  in  the  solemn  burial  services  of  the 
soldiers  slain  in  the  strife  of  Saturday." 

Next  be  came  to  the  brigades  of  Ector,  McNair,  and 
Gholson  : 

"  I  looked  around  for  a  suitable  place  for  preaching. 
A  central  point  to  the  three  commands  was  selected,  but 
not  a  single  tree  or  shrub  was  to  be  found  to  screen  us 
from  the  intense  heat  of  an  August  sun.  Soon  the  sing- 
ing collected  a  large  congregation  of  attentive  soldiers. 
A  caisson  served  for  a  pulpit,  while  the  cannon,  open- 
mouthed,  stood  in  front  of  the  foe.  We  were  in  full 
range  and  in  open  view  of  the  enemy,  but  not  a  single 
shell  or  minnie-ball  was  heard  hissing  or  hurtling  near 
during  the  hour's  service.  The  soldiers  sat  on  the 
ground,  beneath  the  burning  sun,  listening  seriously  to 
the  words  of  life.  At  the  close  of  the  sermon  they 
crowded  up  to  get  Testaments  and  papers.  I  regretted 
much  that  I  could  only  furnish  five  of  the  former  to  a 
regiment." 

"  On  Friday  an  intellectual  young  officer  came  forward 
and  joined  the  Church.  The  da}'  following  he  was  killed 
in  a  skirmish  with  tlie  enemy.  During  the  service  in 
Sears'  brigade  there  was  a  sharp  skirmish  in  the  front 
of  that  command,  and  the  pickets  were  so  closely 
pressed  that  the  officer  in  command  of  the  brigade  sent 


392  TIIE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

a  reinforcement  to  their  support  immediatel}'  after  he 
returned  from  church.  A  continuous  cannonade  to  the 
left  did  not  interrupt  the  service.  Strange  to  see  sol- 
diers in  the  line  of  trenches,  with  a  sharp  fire  in  their 
front,  and  a  rapid  roar  of  artillery  on  their  flank,  and  a 
shower  over  head,  yet  quietly  sitting  or  patiently  stand- 
ing to  hear  the  preaching  of  the  gospel !" 

Amidst  the  scenes  Mr,  Cherry  passed  a  wounded  sol- 
dier who  called  him  and  said  with  joy,  "  I  am  all  right, 
sir  ;  I  thank  God  for  it.  For  two  years  I  have  not  seen 
a  dark  daj\  /  cannot  doubt  now.  I  will  meet  my  old 
mother  in  heaven.  I  am  mortally  wounded."  "One  ball 
had  broken  his  arm  and  passed  through  his  lungs — an- 
other had  passed  through  his  thigh — and  yet  he  lay  with- 
out uttering  a  groan,  and  talked  pleasantly  with  his 
friends,  and  was  happy  in  prospect  of  death." 

On  this  Sabbath,  in  one  division,  eight  sermons  were 
preached  in  full  sight  of  the  Federal  lines,  and  even 
within  range  of  small  arms.  Among  the  Missourians 
who  held  an  exposed  position  the  revival  went  on  with 
power,  and  sixt}^  joined  the  Church  during  the  week. 

Let  us  now  for  a  moment  leave  these  noble  Christian 
soldiers,  in  their  happy  meetings  under  the  fire  of  mus- 
ketry and  cannon,  and  look  in  upon  their  comrades  who 
languished  in  Northern  prisons.  We  have  before  us  a 
letter,  written  from  Fort  Delaware  to  the  Christian  Ob- 
server, giving  an  account  of  a  revival  among  the  Confed- 
erate officers  there  confined.  They  had  in  the  morning  at 
half-past  nine  an  "inquirer's  prayer-meeting;"  at  12  M. 
"  the  professor's  prayer-meeting,  where  the  Church-mem- 
bers pra}'  for  each  other,  leading  the  meeting  in  turn." 

"It  was  a  new  business  to  me,"  says  the  writer, 
"  when  my  turn  came,  but  you  must  know  I  am  prepar- 
ing for  the  work  and  must  learn.  God's  help  enabled 
me  to  get  along  tolerably  well.  He  always  fits  the  in- 
strument for  his  work. 

"We  get  a  mail  dail}',  morning  papers  at  noon,  and 


SU3DIEK    OF    1804.  393 

boxes  of  nic-nacks  come  promptly  when  our  frieiuls  start 
them.  All  the  officers  here  (and  there  are  about  600) 
seem  to  be  in  good  health  and  spirits.  The  general 
health  of  all  on  the  Island  is  good,  considering  the  num- 
ber of  privates  (6,000)  confined  here.  All  seem  to  en- 
joy themselves ;  and,  altogether,  there  are  worse  prisons 
than  Fort  Delaware.  We  have  a  large  lot  to  pla}'  in. 
We  have  here  in  our  barracks  three  ministers — Rev. 
Dr.  Handy,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Portsmouth, 
Va. ;  and  Cajit.  Harris  of  Georgia  and  Capt.  Samford  of 
Texas,  local  Methodist  preachers.  A  revival  of  religion 
has  been  in  progress  for  two  weeks — 17  converts,  many 
backsliders  reclaimed,  and  a  refreshing  season  to  old 
professors,  numbering  150  reported  names.  These  are 
among  the  results  of  the  revival." 

We  have  looked  into  Fort  Delaware  and  other  North- 
ern prisons,  where  thousands  of  Confederates  sutTered, 
languished,  and  died.  Let  us  look  into  Andersonville, 
where  Federal  prisoners  felt  the  horrors  of  confinement. 
A  writer,  who  had  visited  this  prison,  says  : 

"There  were,  at  the  time  I  left,  28,000  to  30.000  pris- 
oners in  the  stockade,  and,  I  presume  by  this  time,  they 
have  had  many  added  from  the  front  at  Atlanta. 

"The  mortality  amongst  them  was  very  great.  I  vis- 
ited the  cemetery  on  Sunday  week  and  they  had  buried 
thirty-five  on  that  day,  and  on  Friday  before  they  buried 
seventy.  Up  to  the  time  I  left  I  think  they  had  buried 
near  4,500 — at  least,  so  the  burial  party  told  me. 

"I  have  heard  much  said  about  the  condition  of  the 
prisoners  there,  and  much  commiseration  expressed  for 
them  ;  but,  I  failed  to  see  any  brutality  exhibited  to- 
wards them.  They  have  the  same  rations  that  our  brave 
troops  receive ;  and,  as  for  their  being  exposed,  they  are 
not  more  so  than  our  own  brave  men  in  Northern  Georgia 
and  Virginia.  The  only  difference  is.  tliat  they  are  con- 
fined to  a  limited  space  and  are  restrained  in  their  move- 
ments.    The  whole  space  of  24  acres  is  covered  by  huts 


394  THE   GREAT    REVIVAL. 

they  have  built — some  of  blankets,  others  of  old  tents, 
oil-cloths,  pine-straw,  earth,  etc.,  and  some  of  boards. 
There  is  also  a  sutler  appointed  by  the  government,  who 
sells  them  vegetables,  fruits,  eggs,  or  anything  else  he 
can  procure,  except  munitions  of  war  and  liquor." 

The  same  writer  states  a  remarkable  fact  connected 
with  the  history  of  this  prison,  which  we  do  not  remem- 
ber having  seen  before,  and  the  correctness  of  which  we 
have  no  means  of  confirming : 

"The  Federals,"  he  saj's,  "have  established  in  the  in- 
terior of  the  prison  a  court  of  justice,  where  all  criminal 
offences  are  tried.  The  Friday  before  I  arrived  there 
they  hanged  six  of  their  number,  who  were  tried,  found 
guilty,  and  condemned  by  the  court  to  suffer  death  for 
their  crimes  against  their  fellow-prisoners.  They  sent 
to  the  commandant  of  the  prison  for  tools  and  materials 
to  build  the  scaffold,  and  the  rope  to  hang  them  with ; 
and  they  then  proceeded  to  execute  the  sentence  of  the 
court  with  all  the  decorum  and  solemnity  that  would 
have  been  observed  by  our  own  people." 

It  is  certainly  strange  that  the  officers  in  charge  of 
this  prison  should  have  allowed  such  a  court  to  be  as- 
tablished  by  the  prisoners ;  but  in  war,  which  is  a  dread- 
ful trade,  we  are  met  on  all  sides  by  scenes  that  would 
shock  us  terribly  in  times  of  peace. 

In  the  far  Southwest  the  great  revival  influence,  al- 
ready noticed  by  Dr.  Kavanaugh,  was  felt  among  the 
soldiers  with  great  power.  In  two  brigades  there  were 
over  five  hundred  conversions.  The  scenes  were  much 
like  those  witnessed  sixty  or  seventy  years  ago.  Dr.  K. 
says  in  his  report : 

"Wicked  men  come  into  tne  congregation,  or  into  the 
outskirts  of  it,  and  are  suddenl}'  stricken  down  and  fall 
to  the  earth,  and  remain  for  hours  speechless  and  ap- 
parently unconscious.  Some  of  their  friends  became 
alarmed  for  them  and  spoke  of  running  for  the  doctor. 
But  old  Bro.  Talbott  happened  to  be  experienced  enough 


SUM31EU  OF  1864.  305 

to  know  something  about  such  cases,  and  told  the  by- 
standers to  give  themselves  no  uneasiness,  for  it  would 
all  come  out  right  in  the  end.  Generally  they  would  lie 
about  two  hours,  and  then  rise  shouting  the  praises  of 
God  their  Saviour.  There  have  been  several  cases  of 
this  kind. 

"All  the  conversions  are  sound,  clear,  and  powerful. 
There  is  no  such  thing  as  urging  the  mourner  to  believe 
he  "has  received  the  blessing;"  but  each  is  able  to  tell, 
for  himself,  what  great  things  God  has  done  for  him. 
Conversions  take  place  at  all  hours  through  the  day  and 
night.  Many  are  converted  in  the  woods — sometimes 
alone,  and  sometimes  with  a  friend  or  two.  There  is  no 
abatement  in  the  work  as  yet,  but  our  meetings  are  kept 
up  to  a  late  hour  every  night.  Off  at  a  little  distance 
you  can  hear  singing,  praising,  and  praying,  all  going 
on  at  various  points  throughout  the  two  brigades,  very 
much  resembling  a  very  large  camp-meeting  in  olden 
times,  when  there  was  much  more  zeal  and  power  mani- 
fested than  is  now  known  in  like  meetings." 

At  Atlanta  the  Confederates,  now  commanded  by  Gen. 
Hood,  held  that  city  against  the  heavy  battalions  of  Gen. 
Sherman.  The  fights  along  the  lines  were  frequent  and 
deadly,  but  the  religious  enthusiasm  of  the  soldiers  was 
undiminished. 

"They  are  not  afraid  of  death,"  writes  a  devoted  chap- 
lain, A.  D.  McVoy,  "  and  are  ready  to  die  when  God  calls 
them." 

Among  those  brought  in  wounded  from  the  front  lines 
there  were  many  Christians  whose  deaths  were  morally 
grand. 

"I  witnessed,"  says  Mr.  McVoy,  "the  passing  away 
of  a  Louisianian  of  Gibson's  brigade,  4th  La.,  the  other 
day.  Seldom  have  I  seen  a  stronger  Christian  faith,  a 
firmer  reliance  on  God,  and  a  clearer  assurance  of  sal- 
vation in  a  dying  hour.  He  was  cruelly  lacerated  by  a 
piece  of  shell  that  had  ploughed  deeply  across  his  right 


oOG  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

side,  aud  his  sufferings  were  intense  and  unremitted. 
Still  liis  mind  was  fixed  upon  God.  'Chaplain,'  said  he 
to  me,  'I  am  dying.  I  have  done  m3'  dut3\  I  wish  I 
could  be  spared  to  see  victory  secured  to  nn'  brave  com- 
rades, but  it  is  the  will  of  God,  and  I  cheerfully  submit. 
I  am  suffering  a  thousand  deaths,  but  when  I  think  upon 
the  sufferings  of  my  Saviour,  that  he  endured  ten  thou- 
sands more  than  I  for  the  salvation  of  my  soul,  my  suf- 
ferings are  nothing.'  Then  he  would  fervently  pra}',  and 
besought  me  to  pray  with  him,  which  I  did.  This  com- 
forted him  greatU',  so  that  he  almost  shouted  for  joy. 
'  Chaplain,'  said  he,  '  1  have  three  motherless  children  in 
Louisiana,  and  could  I  onl3'  gaze  once  more  upon  them, 
could  I  but  fold  them  to  my  breast,  could  I  but  kiss  them 
good-b^-e,  I  would  die  contented  ;  but  God's  will  be  done. 
I  commit  them  into  the  hands  of  my  Heavenl}^  Father. 
I  want  them  instructed  to  know  and  serve  God  that  they 
tna,y  meet  me  in  heaven.' 

"  One  of  his  companions,  who  had  brought  him  out  of 
the  trenches,  was  kneeling  over  him  and  weeping  bitter- 
\y.  'Chaplain,'  said  the  d3'ing  soldier,  'this  is  the  best 
friend  I  have  in  the  army ;  pra3'  for  him  that  he  may 
meet  me  in  heaven.' 

"  When  asked  what  word  he  desired  to  leave  with  his 
compan3',  he  said,  'Tell  them  to  be  better  bo3's.  Some 
of  them  are  reckless  and  wicked.  Tell  them  to  repent, 
serve  God,  be  good  soldiers,  and  meet  me  in  heaven.' 

"  When  asked  how  he  felt  in  view  of  death,  he  said,  '  I 
have  no  fears  ;  all  is  clear.  Jesus  died  for  me  ;  I  know 
he  will  save  me.  Blessed  be  the  Lord.'  His  Colonel 
passing  bj',  came  to  his  side  and  said,  '  Is  this  you,  Daw- 
son? I  am  sorry  to  find  you  so  dreadfull3'  wounded?* 
'  Yes,  Colonel,  I  am  dying,  but  I  am  going  home  to 
heaven.  I  have  tried  to  do  my  dut3'.  It  is  God's  will, 
and  I  cheerfully  give  myself  up  a  sacrifice  on  the  altar 
of  m3'  countr3'.' 

"  He  then  committed  himself  to  God  and  lingered  for 


suiBiER  OF  1864.  397 

some  hours,  continually  praj'ing  and  praising  God,  when 
he  died  the  glorious  death  of  a  brave  Christian  soldier." 

Writing  further  of  the  glorious  work  the  same  faithful 
laborer  saj's : 

"Many  are  joining  the  Church.  While  exhorting  a 
large  group  of  soldiers  a  few  nights  since  to  come  to 
Christ  a  young  man  rushed  forward  and  threw  his  arms 
around  ray  neck,  crying  out,  'I  have  found  Jesus,  I  have 
found  Jesus  !  Oh,  how  good  my  Saviour  is  !  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  m}--  soul !'  This  was  a  very  affecting  scene,  and 
induced  many  to  think  seriously  concerning  their  souls. 

"Thus  the  work  of  God  is  going  on  amid  the  cannon's 
roar,  the  fatiguing  monoton}"-  of  the  trenches,  and  the 
heroic  movements  of  the  picket  line.  Religion  is  infus- 
ing a  spirit  of  fortitude,  endurance,  and  determination, 
into  the  hearts  of  the  soldiers  that  no  hardship,  no  suf- 
fering, can  undermine  or  break  down." 

Bishop  Lay,  of  the  P.  E.  Church,  in  a  letter  to  a  rela- 
tive in  Charleston,  S.  C,  describes  a  scene  of  the  deep- 
est interest  in  the  same  army.  The  Bishop  was  earnest- 
I3'  laboring  as  a  missionary  in  the  Georgia  army.  He 
says : 

"Yesterday,  in  Strahl's  brigade,  I  preached  and  con- 
firmed nine  persons.  Last  night  we  had  a  very  solemn 
service  in  Gen.  Hood's  room,  some  forty  persons,  chiefly 
Generals  and  Staff  Officers,  being  present.  I  confirmed 
Gen.  Hood  and  one  of  his  Aids,  Capt.  Gordon  of  Savan- 
nah, and  a  young  Lieutenant  from  Arkansas.  The  ser- 
vice was  animated,  the  praying  good.  Shells  exploded 
near  by  all  the  time.  Gen.  Hood,  unable  to  kneel,  sup- 
ported himself  on  his  crutch  and  staff,  and  with  bowed 
head  received  the  benediction.  Next  Sunday  I  am  to 
administer  the  communion  at  headquarters.  To-night 
ten  or  twelve  are  to  be  confirmed  in  Claj'ton's  division. 
The  enemy  there  are  within  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
of  our  line,  and  the  firing  is  ver}^  constant.  I  fear  it 
may  be  hard  to  get  the  men  together.  I  wish  that  you 
17a 


398  '        THE    GUEAT    REAHVAL. 

could  have  been  present  last  night,  and  have  seen  that 
compan}'  down,  all  upon  bended  knee.  The  reverence 
was  so  marked  that  one  could  not  fail  to  thank  God 
that  he  has  put  such  a  spirit  into  the  hearts  of  our 
leaders." 

In  the  Virginia  army  now  collected  in  its  main  strength 
on  the  long  lines  of  defence  around  Richmond  and  Pe- 
tersburg, the  work  of  grace  was  not  less  powerful  than 
in  Georgia  and  beyond  the  Mississippi.  But  near  the 
close  of  July  the  usual  course  of  the  soldier's  life  on 
these  lines  was  broken  suddenly  by  an  event  terrible 
even  in  the  midst  of  war. 

For  raanj'  days  the  Confederates  were  impressed  with 
the  belief  that  the  Federals  were  engaged  in  mining  to- 
wards their  works  at  certain  points,  but  the  exact  loca- 
tion of  the  main  operations  could  not  be  ascertained. 
All  doubts  on  the  subject  were  soon  put  to  flight.  On 
Saturday,  July  30,  about  4  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  dull, 
heavy  sound  was  heard,  followed  by  several  others  simi- 
lar, and  at  the  same  moment  the  Federal  batteries  open- 
ed a  furious  cannonade.  It  was  soon  found  that  a  mine 
had  been  sprung  under  one  of  the  salients  on  our  lines 
and  not  far  from  the  centre  of  the  defences. 

Orders  were  sent  to  Gen.  Mahone  to  cover  the  threat- 
ened point,  and  that  officer  moved  promptly  with  his  own 
Virginia  brigade,  and  instructed  Saunders'  Alabama  and 
Wright's  Georgia  brigades  to  follow.  On  reaching  the 
ground  twelve  Federal  flags  were  seen  waving  from  that 
part  of  our  line  which  had  been  carried  in  the  explosion, 
and  the  whole  place  swarmed  with  Federal  troops,  white 
and  black.  As  the  Confederates  formed  into  line,  and 
were  about  to  move  forward,  the  Federals  rushed  out  for 
a  charge.  Our  men  held  their  fire  until  they  came  quite 
near,  and  then  poured  in  such  a  storm  of  bullets  that 
the  whole  mass  fell  back  in  disorder.  Then  the  Confed- 
erates charged  in  turn,  and,  rushing  forward,  drove  the 
Federals  up  to  and  over  the  breastworks,  from  the  top 


SUMMER  OF   18G4.         •  399 

of  which  they  delivered  a  plunging  fire  that  completed 
the  confusion  of  the  enemy. 

But  the  bloody  work  was  not  done.     Only  a  part  of 

the  lost  line  had  been  recovered.     Saunders'  brigade  was 

ordered  up  to  retake  the  remaining  lines ;   and,  after  a 

'  splendid  charge,  every  inch  of  lost  ground  was  regained. 

"  The  enemy,"  says  a  writer  from  the  scene,  "  made 
but  slight  resistance  to  this  charge.  The  -chasm  caused 
by  the  enemy's  explosion  appears  to  be  about  40  feet  in 
depth,  and  some  200  feet  in  circumference,  and  resem- 
bles what  one  would  imagine  to  have  been  the  effects  of 
a  terrible  earthquake.  Immense  boulders  of  earth  were 
piled  up  rudely  one  above  the  other,  and  great  fragments 
of  bomb-proofs,  gun-carriages,  limbers,  etc.,  were  lying 
promiscuously  in  every  direction.  One  man  was  caught 
between  two  boulders  near  the  surface  of  the  ground 
and  literally  crushed  between  them.  He  still  remained 
in  this  painful  position,  with  only  his  head  and  neck  vis- 
ible, our  men  not  having  had  the  time  to  extricate  him. 
Life  had  long  been  extinct." 

The  crater  made  by  the  explosion  of  the  mine  pre- 
sented a  ghastly  spectacle.  It  was  lined  with  mangled 
bodies  that  lay  in  every  conceivable  position.  The  sud- 
den and  terrible  explosion  produced  a  temporary  confu- 
sion in  the  Confederate  ranks,  and  if  a  heavy  column 
had  been  pushed  through  the  chasm  the  result  might 
have  been  most  disastrous  ;  but  the  prompt  and  gallant 
resistance  of  the  Confederates  changed  the  whole  aspect 
of  the  affair. 

The  loss  of  the  South  was  heavy  in  this  battle,  and 
Virginia  mourned  the  death  of  some  of  her  bravest  chil- 
dren. Petersburg  sustained  a  severe  loss,  as  numbers 
of  her  best  young  men  were  in  Mahone's  troops ;  and 
many  a  household  mourned  a  hero  son  who  nobly  died 
for  his  country. 

The  Federals  opened  a  heavj^  fire  from  their  siege-guns 
on  the  city  immediately  after  the  explosion  of  the  mine, 


400  •         THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

and  for  two  hours  the  shells  rained  down  upon  the  streets 
and  houses ;  but  in  the  mercy  of  God  no  one  was  killed. 
One  citizen  lost  a  finger,  which  was  cut  off  by  the  frag- 
ment of  a  shell. 

This  day's  work  is  known  in  the  history  of  the  war  as 
"The  Battle  of  the  Crater." 


AUTUMN   AND   WINTER    OF    18G4-'65.  401 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

AUTUMN   AND   MTCNTER   OF    1864-65^ 

The  condition  of  the  armies  in  the  East  and  South 
west  was  not  specially  favorable  to  the  revival  at  the 
close  of  the  summer. 

At  Petersburg  the  Federals  made  desperate  efforts  to 
cut  Gen.  Lee's  lines  of  communication  with  the  South, 
but  were  foiled  b}'  the  activity  of  the  Confederates.  In 
Georgia  Gen.  Hood  was  forced  to  abandon  the  city  of 
Atlanta,  and  Gen,  Sherman  entered  and  made  it  the 
starting  point  of  his  famous  "March  to  the  Sea."  In 
East  Tennessee,  at  Greenville,  the  gallant  cavalry-lead- 
er. Gen.  Morgan,  met  his  death  under  most  painful  cir- 
cumstances. Finding  tlie  house  in  which  he  slept  was 
surrounded  b}^  Federal  troops,  he  sprang  from  his  bed 
exclaiming  to  his  staff,  "  We  must  not  be  captured  !" 
He  escaped  to  another  dwelling-house,  but  the  person 
living  in  it  called  to  the  Federals  that  Gen.  Morgan  was 
in  the  house.  He  ran  out,  and  in  passing  through  a 
vineyard  was  shot  down  and  killed.  His  body  was  de- 
livered to  his  staff,  and  a  permit  given  to  send  it  into 
the  Confederate  lines.  Thus  died  a  noble  and  heroic 
soldier. 

The  constant  activity  in  the  army  in  Georgia  hinder- 
ed to  some  degree  the  progress  of  the  revival,  but  every 
lull  in  the  storm  of  battle  was  made  use  of  by  the  chap- 
lains and  missionaries. 

Dr.  McFerrin  saj's : 

"Meetings  have  been  frequently  held  when  the  sol- 
diers were  in  line  of  battle.  The  religious  interest  I 
think  has  not  at  all  abated  since  our  creat  revival  in 


•102  THE   GREAT   RE%aVAL. 

the  winter  and  springy.  Ilundrecls  in  raany  parts  of  the 
army  are  seeking  the  fellowship  of  Cliristians  b}^  uniting 
with  the  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

A  writer  from  the  13th  Mississippi  regiment,  station- 
ed in  the  Valley  of  Virginia,  says  : 

"The  spiritual  condition  of  the  brigade  is  truly  en- 
eouraging,  We  had  an  excellent  praj'er-meeting  last 
night.  The  Spirit  was  in  our  midst.  Some  fifteen  or 
twent}^  penitents  presented  themselves  for  prayer.  We 
have  religious  services  of  some  kind  almost  every  night. 
Sixteen  have  been  received  into  the  Church  this  month ; 
yet  we  have  been  almost  continually  on  the  march,  not 
having  remained  so  long  as  three  daj's  at  an}^  one  camp. 
As  far  as  raj*  observation  goes,  about  the  same  state  of 
religion  exists  in  the  other  brigades  of  this  army.  A 
great  work  is  surely  going  on.  May  it  continue  until 
the  uttermost  parts  of  earth  feel  the  gracious  influence. 
Dr.  Stiles  sa3's,  'The  way  to  convert  a  nation  is  to  con- 
vert its  arm}'.'  If  our  army  is  a  body  of  Christians, 
when  the  clash  of  arms  and  the  din  of  war  shall  have 
hushed  in  our  borders,  and  they  be  scattered  broadcast 
over  the  land,  they  will  be  to  our  country  as  the  '  salt  of 
the  earth,'  preserving  it,  giving  us  a  moral  and  religious 
character  that  will  make  us  a  nation  that  can  truly  be 
called  the  people  of  God." 

It  is  a  fact  over  which  we  may  rejoice  that  out  of  tlie 
Southern  armies  did  come  many  earnest  Christians  who 
have  been  "the  salt  of  the  earth."  In  all  the  Churclios 
there  are  now  ministers  wlio  found  the  Lord  in  the  midst 
of  war,  and  when  they  laid  down  the  sword  of  the  flesh 
took  up  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  and  are  now  valiant 
leaders  in  the  hosts  of  King  Immanuel.  And  there  are 
thousands  of  zealous  and  useful  laymen  who,  in  the 
blessed  scenes  of  the  army  revival,  in  the  log  church,  or 
under  the  spreading  trees  on  the  bare  ground,  and  in  tlie 
hospital,  gave  themselves  to  God  in  a  perpetual  cove- 
nant.    The  Army  Revival  gave  to  the  South  multitu<les 


AUTUMN    AND    WINTEH   OF    18G4-'G5,  4U3 

of  faithful  men,  and  they  are  now  in  all  the  Churches 
the  living  proofs  of  its  genuineness  and  power. 

In  this,  as  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  war,  the  dying 
testimony  of  Christian  soldiers  was  of  the  greatest  value 
in  impressing  the  minds  of  their  unconverted  comrades. 

A  soldier  on  the  lines  near  Petersburg  wrote  home  to 
his  wife,  "G  rieve  not  for  me.  I  am  all  right.  My  trust 
is  in  God,  and  I  know  it  is  well-founded.  If  we  meet 
no  more  on  earth,  let  us  meet  in  heaven."  Not  long  af- 
ter, while  sitting  in  his  tent  answering  a  letter  from  his 
wife,  he  was  killed  by  the  bullet  of  a  sharpshooter. 

A  gallant  Georgia  soldier,  just  before  going  into  his 
last  battle,  said  to  his  comrades,  "I  may  fall,  but  I  fear 
not  death." 

Lieut.  Carpenter,  of  Gen.  Morgan's  command,  when 
dying  near  Lexington,  Ky.,  "prayed,  sang,  wept,  and 
shouted  glory  !  glory  !" 

These  are  but  samples  of  the  death-bed  scenes  of  our 
war-times.  Thousands  upon  thousands  went  up  on  high 
with  the  shout  of  victory  on  their  dying  lips. 

In  this  connection  we  give  the  reader  a  view  of  what 
was  called  b3'0ur  suffering  prisoners  at  Jolinson's  Island 
"an.  exchange."  "Asa  Hartz,"  a  Coiifederate  officer  con- 
fined there,  in  a  letter  to  a  friend  gives  this  touching 
picture : 

"  We  vary  our  monotony  with  an  occasional  exchange- 
May  I  tell  j'ou  what  I  mean  by  that?  Well,  it  is  a  sim- 
ple ceremony.  God  help  us  !  The  'exchanged'  is  placed 
on  a  small  wagon  drawn  b}'  one  horse,  his  friends  form  a 
line  in  the  rear,  and  tlie  procession  moves ;  then  pass- 
ing through  the  gate,  it  winds  its  waj'  slowly  round  the 
prison-walls  to  a  little  grove  north  of  the  enclosure ;  the 
'exchange'  is  taken  out  of  the  wagon  and  lowered  into 
the  earth — a  prayer — an  exhortation — a  spade — a  head- 
board— a  mound  of  fresh  sod — and  the  friends  return  to 
prison  again — and  that's  all  of  it.  Our  friend  is  'ex- 
changed ;'  a  grave  attests  the  fact  to  mortal  eyes,  and 


404  'the  great  revival. 

one  of  God's  angels  has  recorded  the  'exchange'  in  the 
book  above.  Time  and  the  elements  will  soon  smooth 
down  the  little  hillock  which  marks  his  lonely  bed,  but 
invisible  friends  will  hover  around  it  till  the  dawn  of 
that  great  day  when  all  the  armies  shall  be  marshalled 
into  line  again — when  the  wars  of  time  shall  cease  and 
the  great  eternity  of  peace  shall  commence." 

The  Missions  of  the  different  Churches  to  the  South- 
ern armies  was  a  work  which,  as  we  have  seen,  was  at- 
tended by  heaven's  richest  blessings. 

In  the  report  made  by  Bishop  Pierce  to  the  Confer- 
ences of  the  M.  E.  Church,  South,  of  their  part  in  this 
labor  of  love,  he  says  : 

"The  importance  of  our  missionary  work  in  the  army 
cannot  well  be  exaggerated.  Measurably  shut  out,  as 
the  Church  is,  from  other  fruitful  missionary  fields,  the 
Providence  and  Spirit  of  God  have  opened  to  it  here  a 
field  where  the  harvest  is  white,  and  where  it  only  needs 
a  wise  disposition  of  laborers  to  insure  an  abundant  in- 
gathering of  souls.  We  have  considered  how  best  we 
may  make  such  a  disposition  of  our  means  and  labors  in 
this  field  as  to  secure  the  advancement  of  God's  king- 
dom and  the  promotion  of  his  glory." 

The  men  sent  forth  into  this  field  were  found  in  every 
part  of  the  South  where  men  stood  in  arms.  Even  in 
beleaguered  Charleston,  where  shells  rained  down  for 
many  months  in  the  streets  and  on  the  houses,  the  faith- 
ful missionaries  called  the  suffering  but  heroic  soldiers 
to  the  hopes  and  blessings  of  the  Cross. 

A  writer  from  that  city  tells  of  the  terrible  bombard- 
ment and  the  merciful  preservation  of  the  people  under 
the  good  hand  of  God  : 

"  On  Thursday  evening  three  guns  were  opened  simul- 
taneously upon  the  devoted  city,  and  in  five  liours  one 
hundred  and  ten  shots  were  made  in  rapid  and  awful 
succession.  It  was  a  tempest  of  whizzing,  screaming 
bolts  of  destruction,  agitating  the  air  and  reverberating 


AUTUMN    AND    WINTER    OF    1864-'G5.  405 

in  their  earthquake  explosions  as  though  the  infuriated 
demons  of  the  bottomless  pit  had  been  turned  loose 
upon  us  !  For  some  days  the  bombardment  continued 
most  vehemently',  but  it  gradually  sul)sided  in  temper 
and  in  rage,  until  now  we  hear  the  explosions  in  the 
lower  portions  of  the  city  among  the  deserted  and  inof- 
fensive buildings,  recalling  the  normal  state  of  the  siege. 
The  shells  fell  all  around  me — one  striking  opposite,  a 
little  over  one  hundred  yards,  and  another  two  doors 
from  my  residence.  Sitting  in  my  parlor,  I  could  smell 
tlie  'villainous  salt-petre'  when  the  explosion  occurred. 
The  proximity  was  not  pleasant,  particularly  at  night 
when  one  was  disposed,  in  a  somewhat  nervous  condi- 
tion, to  yield  to 

"Tired  Nature's  sweet  restorer,  balmy  sleep." 

"  These  messengers  of  death  have  been  passing  thick 
and  fast  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  city,  tearing  up 
the  streets ;  cutting  gas-pipes  and  plunging  us  into  dark- 
ness ;  thundering  against  churches  and  dwellings,  and 
creating  generally  a  great  tumult ;  but,  how  few  of  the 
citizens  have  been  harmed  in  their  persons  !  Yet,  what 
hair-breadth  escapes  have  been  made  ! 

"I  saw,  but  a  few  days  since,  the  interior  of  a  gentle- 
man's residence  which  a  shell  had  entered  ;  cutting  the 
tester  and  passing  through  the  pavilion  of  his  bed,  it 
penetrated  the  opposite  wall  and  lodged  in  the  adjoining 
room.  Both  himself  and  his  wife  were  in  the  house  at 
the  time  and  he  remains  there  still.  In  another  instance 
a  similar  missile  entered  a  chamber,  and  passing  between 
the  slabs  and  bed-clothes  of  a  crib  in  which  an  infant 
was  lying,  left  the  little  creature  unhurt,  but  lost  in  the 
convolutions  of  its  bedding  !" 

The  desolation  of  this  once  beautiful  city  was  pain- 
ful to  behold  at  this  period  of  the  war.  The  writer  just 
quoted  thus  describes  the  scene  : 

"Passing  through  the  lower  wards  of  the  city,  3'ou 
would  be  particularly  struck  with  two  things :  First,  the 


406  THE    GREAT    RE^^yAL. 

sad  desolation.  The  elegant  mansions  and  familiar  tho- 
roughfares, once  rejoicing  in  wealth  and  refinement  and 
the  theatre  of  busy  life — the  well-known  and  fondly-che- 
rished churches,  some  of  them  ancient  landmarks,  where 
large  assemblies  were  wont  to  bow  at  holy  altars,  and 
spacious  halls  that  once  blazed  with  light  and  rang  with 
festal  songs,  are  all  deserted,  sombre  and  cheerless ;  and 
this  is  enhanced  by  the  forbidding  aspect  of  that  vast 
district  of  the  city  which  was  laid  in  ashes  three  j'eara 
ago,  and  which  remains  in  unmolested  ruins  as  the  monu- 
ment of  Charleston's  long  and  dreary  pause  in  the  grand 
march  of  improvement.  Here  you  perceive  her  humilia- 
tion." 

The  movements  of  the  army  under  Gen.  Hood  were  so 
rapid  at  this  season  that  there  was  but  little  opportunity 
to  conduct  religious  services.  While  that  army  lay  near 
Tuscumbia,  Ala.,  Rev.  J.  B.  McFerrin  wrote  to  the  South- 
ern Christian  Advocate  giving  a  sad  picture  of  the  results 
of  the  war  to  a  once  rich  and  beautiful  country : 

"  The  beautiful  Valley  of  Tennessee  is  almost  a  waste. 
From  Decatur  to  Tuscumbia  there  are  but  few  planta- 
tions near  the  main  road  which  have  not  been  desolated. 
Many  beautiful  mansions,  with  out-houses,  cotton-gins, 
barns,  stables,  and  negro  cabins,  have  been  burned. 
Churches  have  been  committed  to  the  flames,  and  old 
La  Grange  College  is  laid  in  ashes.  You  can  scarcely 
imagine  the  ruin  and  devastation  that  everywhere  meet 
the  eye.  Now  the  people,  once  rich  and  prosperous, 
have  scarcely  bread  to  eat. 

"  What  our  future  movement  will  be  I  cannot  foretell. 
There  are  various  conjectures  ;  some  guess  one  point  and 
some  another ;  all  are  in  good  spirits  and  hope  for  some 
grand  result  from  this  extraordinary  campaign  of  Gen. 
Hood.  Time  will  prove  the  wisdom  of  the  move  ;  or,  if 
a  failure,  no  one  doubts  that  it  is  a  bold  and  extraordi- 
nary measure  to  check  the  enemy.  Such  has  been  the 
rapidity  of  our  marches  that  we  have  had  scarcely  any 


AUTUMN   AND    WINTEK   OF    1864-'65.  407 

opportunity  for  religious  services.  Many  of  the  chap- 
lains and  missionaries  accompany  the  troops  and  preach 
wheu  circumstances  justify  it.  At  Jacksonville,  Ala., 
we  had  an  interesting  season ;  we  had  preaching  several 
nights  in  succession;  several  penitents  at  the  alLar,  and 
four  were  added  to  the  Church.  Except  a  short  deten- 
tion there,  we  have  been  on  the  march  almost  constantly 
since  the  middle  of  September.  When  the  army  goes 
into  winter  quarters,  if  we  can  have  convenient  places 
for  worship,  we  expect  a  rich  harvest  of  souls." 

The  marches  and  privations  of  this  army  were  really 
wonderful,  and  yet  were  endured  with  the  greatest  hero- 
ism. In  one  month  the  marching  averaged  twelve  miles 
a  day,  and  the  whole  distance  traversed  within  thirty 
days  was  over  four  hundred  miles.  And  yet  these  noble 
men  were  longing  for  the  days  of  peace  to  come  again. 
"I  trust,"  says  one  writing  from  Hood's  army,  "that 
jieace  begins  to  dawn  even  from  to-day.  The  Northern 
election  is  over,  and  God  grant  that  it  may  bring  peace 
to  our  distracted  country." 

Gen.  Hood  having  moved  his  army  from  the  vicinity 
of  Atlanta,  Gen.  Sherman  made  preparations  for  his  fa- 
mous march  from  that  city  to  the  Atlantic  Coast.  In 
passing  through  Georgia,  the  country  was  laid  waste  in 
a  track  from  twenty  to  thirt}'  miles  wide.  All  kinds  of 
stock  were  killed,  and  a  great  deal  left  on  the  ground. 
Provisions  of  every  kind  for  man  and  beast  were  taken  ; 
all  means  of  transportation  were  destroyed ;  and  many 
houses  were  burned,  while  in  others  the  furniture  was 
ruthlessly  broken  to  pieces.  Gen.  Sherman  in  his  march 
proved  his  own  declaration  that  "  war  is  cruelty." 

The  discipline  of  war  was  terrible  to  the  people  of  the 
South,  but  in  the  end  it  was  beneficial.  In  the  midst  of 
desolation  and  blood  they  turned  their  thoughts  to  Hira 
who  holds  in  his  hands  the  destinies  of  nations,  and  out 
of  great  sufferings  the  patience  and  faith  of  the  gospel 
shone  forth  in  brightness  and  power. 


408  TILE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

The  incidents  of  General  Sherman's  march  were  often 
painful  to  the  last  degree.  From  multitudes  of  people 
the  last  morsel  of  bread  was  taken,  and  in  some  in- 
stances delicate  women  were  pushed  to  the  verge  of 
starvation. 

A  soldier  writing  to  his  father  recites  a  peculiar  case 
of  suffering.  While  on  detached  service  in  South  Caro- 
lina he,  with  several  other  soldiers,  was  hospitably  en- 
tertained by  an  elegant  young  lad}',  who  received  them 
in  the  parlor  and  gave  them  a  sumptuous  meal.  '-One 
of  the  number  passing  the  same  road,  after  Sherman's 
hordes  had  passed  over  the  country,  found  the  same 
young  lady  in  a  hut  living  on  parched  corn.  He  gave 
her  all  the  provisions  his  haversack  contained.  When 
she  received  them  she  burst  into  tears  saying  she  never 
would  breatlie  a  prayer  to  heaven  but  what  he  should  be 
remembered." 

A  writer  from  the  scene  of  devastation  in  Georgia 
says  : 

"They  spread  desolation  broadcast,  taking  everything 
in  their  wa}'  in  the  breadth  of  about  twenty  miles.  Corn, 
fodder,  meal,  flour,  horses,  mules,  hogs,  cattle,  sheep, 
poultry  of  every  description,  servants  that  could  be  en- 
ticed and  forced  off,  and  these  in  great  numbers." 

Strange  as  it  may  seem,  in  the  midst  of  such  visita- 
tions, the  hearts  of  many  were  softened  and  turned  to 
God. 

An  observant  writer  said  at  this  period  of  the  struggle  : 

'•The  privations,  sufferings,  and  bereavements  jjro- 
duced  by  the  war  have  prepared  the  minds  of  thousands 
to  read  and  understand  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  they 
never  understood  them  before.  They  are  studving  the 
sacred  volume,  the  history  of  ancient  wars,  and  the  pro- 
phetical books  of  the  Bible,  with  new  interest,  and  learn- 
ing that  it  is  God  who  has  'made  desolations  in  the 
earth,'  and  who  also  '  maketh  wars  to  cease  unto  the  end 
thereof." 


AUTUIMN   AND    WrNTER   OF    1864-65.  409 

We  have  referred  to  scenes  in  the  prisons  North  and 
South  where  thousands  languished  and  died.  In  Rich- 
mond was  a  prison  noted  over  the  whole  countr}-.  We 
refer  to  "The  Libby."  Here  were  confined  many  hun- 
dreds of  Northern  soldiers ;  to  them  the  gospel  was 
preached  by  Southern  ministers,  and  may  we  not  hope 
that  some  at  least  found  the  peace  of  God  in  the  midst 
of  war?  The  writer  himself  had  the  privilege  of  offer- 
ing spiritual  consolation  to  Federal  soldiers,  sick,  wound- 
ed, and  dying,  and  he  rejoices  to  believe  that  not  a  few 
rested  their  souls  in  the  last  tr3dng  hour  upon  the  merits 
of  Christ. 

The  following  testimony  comes  from  one  who  was  per- 
sonally^ engaged  in  the  blessed  work  of  leading  soldiers 
on  both  sides  to  the  fountain  of  life  : 

"  In  Richmond  the  Rev.  Dr.  Woodbridge,  of  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church,  and  family  (and  this  was  true 
of  other  clergymen),  were  fimnd  ready  to  furnish  books, 
papers,  etc.,  to  abate  the  rigors  of  prison-life  to  Federal 
soldiers  in  the  Libby.  One  of  the  chaplains  relinquish- 
ed his  other  work  and  devoted  himself  to  visiting  and 
preaching  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  and  to  ministering 
to  their  wants.  Tliis  was  followed  up  by  frequent  visits 
and  ministrations  of  various  kinds  ;  and  it  is  said  that 
all  the  supplies  sent  from  the  North  to  the  prisoners  of 
war  were  brought  about  by  a  chaplain  in  a  North  Caro- 
lina regiment. 

"I  have  witnessed  a  scene  which  I  wish  I  could  pho- 
tograph upon  the  minds  of  the  friends  of  soldiers  in  the 
North.  It  was  at  the  Libby  prison.  Thousands  of  sol- 
diers were  confined  there.  The  largest  upper  floor  was 
selected  for  religious  worship.  The  chaplain  of  the  6th 
North  Carolina  regiment,  who  had  devoted  himself  to 
this  work,  had  gathered  around  him  a  large  throng  of 
these  men.  Thoy  were  arranged  in  semi-circles ;  the 
first  rows  sat  upon  the  floor,  the  next  were  on  their 
knees,  the  others  stood  in  the  rear,  so  that  all  could  see 
18 


410  THE    GREAT   REVIVAL. 

and  hear.  In  the  midst  was  the  chaplain.  'Should  you 
ever  be  permitted  to  get  back  to  your  friends  and  homes 
I  wish  you  to  tell  it  there  that  we  ministers  of  religion 
in  the  South  came  to  you  here,  not  to  upbraid  j-ou  with 
invading  our  homes,  but  to  comfort  and  cheer  you  in 
your  present  uncomfortable  condition  ;  and  it  will  be  my 
study  to  avoid  saying  anything  that  can  be  so  construed 
as  to  give  you  pain.  I  stand  among  3'ou  as  but  a  poor 
representative  of  the  Southern  people.  If  others  were 
here  in  my  place  they  would  win  your  hearts  by  their 
loving  words,  and  your  minds  by  the  wisdom  of  their 
counsels ;  but  as  it  falls  to  my  lot  to  address  you,  let 
me  tell  you  the  plain  and  simple  story  of  Him  who  once 
came  a  long  way  and  suffered  much  in  order  to  speak 
words  of  life  and  love  and  hope  to  those  who  were  all 
their  lifetime  in  bondage  through  fear  of  death,  and  to 
break  their  bonds  asunder  and  set  them  free ;  yes,  and. 
to  place  them  in  a  land  of  peace  and  plenty,  where  there 
shall  be  no  more  war.'  It  would  be  impossible  to  recall 
the  words  spoken ;  but  the  emotions  of  these  men  as 
they  listened  to  words  of  life  and  love  and  home  amid 
scenes  of  death  and  war,  emotions  that  flashed  in  every 
feature  of  their  countenances,  and  the  wondrous  earnest- 
ness and  power  of  their  song  as  thej^  all  joined  in  when 
the  address  was  ended — 

"Lo  !  what  a  cloud  of  witnesses  encompass  us  around  : 
Men  once  like  us  with  suffering  tried,  but  now  with  glory 
crowned" — 
these  are  still  fresh  in  my  recollection.  I  am  the  only 
one  living  Wiat  witnessed  that  scene  ;  Lieutenant  Sceva, 
Captain  May,  and  all  tliose  officers  and  men,  are  now 
dead." 

The  life  of  a  Cliristian,  whether  in  peace  or  war, 
should  be  a  life  hid  with  Christ  in  God ;  the  death  ot 
a  Cliristian  in  peace  or  war  is  but  a  translation  to  a 
higher  life  in  heaven.  Let  us  look  at  the  proof  of  the 
power  of  grace  as  given  in  this  period  by  our  dying  sol- 


AUTUMN    AND    WINTER    OF    1864-65.  411 

fliers.  Lieut.  J.  P.  Duncan  fell  at  his  post  near  Peters- 
burg, Va.  '*  His  last  noble  act  was  to  distribute  a  pack- 
age of  tracts  to  his  men  on  the  subject  of  heaven.  He 
stepped  on  a  log  in  rear  of  his  guns  to  look  at  the  ene- 
my's movements,  and  was  instantl}^  killed."  William 
Smith  Patterson,  of  the  Palmetto  Sharpshooters,  was  a 
noble  soldier  of  Christ  and  of  his  country.  Colonel 
Walker,  his  commander,  wrote  to  his  mother  : 

"Your  son  was  a  gallant  young  man,  and  fell  bravely 
doing  his  duty  in  the  foremost  ranks  while  engaging  the 
enemy.  He  was  never  found  lacking  in  his  duty  either 
as  a  soldier  or  Christian.  He  was  shot  through  the 
body,  and  died  almost  instantly." 

"When  I  told  her,"  says  Dr.  Whitefoord  Smith,  "the 
sad  tidings,  her  first  words  were,  '  Glory  !  glory  !  glory  ! 
The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away  ;  blessed 
be  the  name  of  the  Lord.  I  know  he  is  safe,  and  I 
would  not  have  him  back  if  I  could  by  asking.' " 

Such  were  the  mothers  whose  sons  upheld  the  banner 
of  the  South. 

Sergeant  Alfred  L.  Robertson,  of  the  12th  Georgia 
regiment,  fell  in  one  of  the  battles  in  the  Valley  of  Vir- 
ginia. He  was  a  Christian  from  childhood.  "He  told 
me,"  says  a  friend,  "  as  he  lay  dying  upon  the  battle- 
field, that  he  knew  his  time  had  come  and  he  was  will- 
ing to  go,  feeling  that  all  was  bright,  desiring  only  some- 
thing to  alleviate  his  suffering  until  his  spirit  should 
wing  its  way  to  the  realms  of  the  blessed." 

Captain  Henry  F.  Parks  and  Captain  Wesley  F.  Parks 
were  sons  of  Rev.  W.  J.  P.arks,  of  Georgia.  The  former 
was  converted  at  eight  years,  the  latter  at  thirteen  ;  both 
entered  the  Confederate  army  and  fought  gallantly. 
Wesley  died  of  disease — Henry  b}'^  the  bullet. 

"  When  he  was  stricken  down  upon  the  battle-field  he 
begged  his  comrades  to  leave  him  and  to  take  care  of 
themselves,  for  he  felt  sure  that  he  had  received  his 
'last  furlough.'     Said  he,   'Tell  my  father  and  friends 


412  THE  giii:at  hevival. 

that  I  died  praying.' "     They  were  buried  on  the  same 
day. 

Andrew  J.  Peed,  of  the  59th  Georgia,  received  four 
wounds  in  a  charge ;  he  lived  five  hours,  and  then  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus.  "  Just  before  his  death  he  said,  '  Fare- 
well, boys ;'  and  he  requested  a  fellow-soldier  to  tell  his 
wife  that  he  was  ready  to  die,  and  happily  ended  earth'^ 
toilsome  journey." 

We  might  largely  multiply  such  scenes,  but  these  are 
enough  to  show  the  faith  of  our  believing  soldiers  in  the 
dying  hour.  And  their  testimony  was  not  given,  be  it 
remembered,  in  their  peaceful  homes,  with  kind  friends 
and  kindred  ministering  around  them,  but  on  the  blood- 
stained battle-field,  or  in  the  close"  and  cheerless  hos- 
pital, far  from  the  scenes  of  their  childhood,  and  often 
in  the  midst  of  strangers.  But  the  Friend  that  sticketli 
closer  than  a  brother  was  near,  and  his  words  were 
sweeter  to  them  than  even  the  memories  of  home. 

In  the  close  of  this  3'ear  (1864)  the  revival  power  was 
as  great,  perhaps  greater,  among  our  soldiers  than  at  any 
previous  period.  A  writer  from  that  part  of  the  army 
stationed  in  East  Tennessee  says  : 

"  Not  a  meeting  is  held  by  the  chaplains  of  the  differ- 
ent commands  but  what  they  have  large  assemblies  of 
soldiers  in  attendance ;  and  when  the  invitation  is  ex- 
tended to  those  who  desire  an  interest  in  the  prayers 
of  the  Christians,  many  are  seen  pressing  through  the 
crowded  throng  and  bowing  humbly  on  the  cold,  damp 
ground,  with  but  the  broad,  blue  sky  for  a  covering 
What  scenes — resembling  so  strongly  the  great  re- 
vival periods  of  the  early  pioneer  settlements.  The 
eloquent  voice  of  tlie  minister,  the  heavy  sighing  of  the 
penitent,  and  the  deep  melancholy  spirit  of  the  soldier- 
audience,  is  a  scene  for  the  artist,  and  one  of  no  small 
moment.  Not  an  evening  passes  by  but  what  there  can 
be  seen  here  and  there  gathered  together  small  clumps 
of  soldiers  singing  sacred  songs,  and  occasionally  send- 


AUTUMN    AND    AVINTKIl    OF    1864-65.  413 

ing  up  an  humble  prayer  to  heaven.  The  idle  jester, 
and  he  who  wouhl  make  light  of  their  romantic  worsliip, 
stand  in  awe,  and  refrain  from  saying  anything  that 
would  tend  to  mortify  or  molest  their  feelings.  How 
often  do  we  hear  the  expression,  not  alone  from  the 
3^oung,  but  the  aged  soldier,  as  the  crowded  throng  dis- 
perses and  they  go  winding  their  way  to  their  respective 
commands,  that,  '  I  am  determined  to  live  a  better  life 
and  move  in  conformity  with  the  Christian  Church,'  etc." 

Up  to  Januar}',  1865,  it  was  estimated  that  nearly  one 
hundred  and  Jiffy  thoiisavd  soldiers  had  been  converted 
during  the  progresr,  of  the  war,  and  it  was  believed  that 
fully  one-third  of  all  the  soldiers  in  the  field  were  pray- 
ing men  and  members  of  some  branch  of  the  Christian 
Church.  A  large  proportion  of  the  higher  officers  were 
men  of  faith  and  pra3^er,  and  many  others,  though  not 
professedly  religious,  were  moral  and  respectful  to  all 
the  religious  services  and  confessed  tlie  value  of  the  re- 
vival in  promoting  the  efficiency  of  the  array. 

As  the  cloud  of  war  in  mid-winter  grew  thicker  and 
darker  over  the  Confederacy  the  zeal  and  faith  of  the 
chaplains  and  missionaries  increased.  In  Petersburg,  in 
December,  a  meeting  was  held  in  which  Rev.  Dr.  Arm- 
strong, Rev.  L.  C.  Vass,  Rev.  Dr.  Pryor,  Rev.  J.  Wm. 
Jones,  and  Rev.  J.  C.  Granbery,  with  other  faithful  la- 
borers, participated.  The  object  was  to  form  an  Associ- 
ation of  Chaplains  and  Missionaries  for  the  purpose  of 
conducting  more  systematically  the  work  of  grace  among 
the  war-worn  veterans.  Dr.  Armstrong  preached  an  ap- 
propriate sermon  from  the  words,  "The  entrance  of  thy 
words  giveth  light ;  it  giveth  understanding  to  the  sim- 
ple." They  agreed  to  hold  regular  monthly  meetings, 
and  at  these  reports  of  the  work  in  each  brigade  and  in 
the  hospitals  were  to  be  presented  and  read — all  neces- 
sary measures  taken  to  promote  the  cause  of  religion 
throughout  the  arm3^  Along  these  lines  of  defence  in 
the  last  months  of  the  war  the  work  of  grace  was  pow- 


41i  THE   GREAT    RKVFAKL. 

ftrful,  and  many  a  noble  soldier  pressed  into  the  Iving- 
dom. 

A  soldier  gives  a  picture  of  the  Church  in  the  army  : 
"  A  stranger  to  pass  along  our  lines  here  would  con- 
clude we  were  a  very  religious  people.  lie  would  see 
commodious  churches  every  six  or  eight  hundred  yards. 
They  are  made  of  logs,  of  course.  To  save  labor  and 
heat  they  are  three  or  four  feet  below  the  surface.  The 
congregation  is  well  and  comfortably  seated.  Praj'cr- 
raeetings  are  held  twice  generally  during  the  week,  and 
preaching  twice  on  Sabbath.  Young  Men's  Christian 
Associations  are  organized.  I  understand  that  the  As- 
sociation near  us  attached  to  Corse's  brigade  haA'e  in- 
vited many  distinguished  gentlemen  to  lecture  before  it 
tliis  winter,  and  that  there  is  a  prospect  of  success  in 
the  worthy  enterprise.  The  great  theme  will  be  the 
twin  duties — Piety  and  Patriotism.  These  are  noble 
subjects.  The  world  furnishes  manj'^  splendid  illustra- 
tions for  the  speakers,  and  thej'^  will  use  them  with  ef- 
fect I  doubt  not.  Thank  God,  in  our  own  short  history 
we  can  furnish  noble  examples  of  both  these  cardinal 
virtues.  Our  cause  has  been  already  baptized  in  the 
blood  of  Christian  patriots." 


SPUING  OF  1865.  415 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

SPRING    OF     1865. 

We  are  near  the  end  of  the  tremendous  struggle  for 
Southern  independence. 

In  the  last  month  of  winter  the  famous  Hampton  Roads' 
Conference  was  held  between  President  Lincoln  and  the 
Southern  Commissioners.  The  only  terms  offered  were 
unconditional  submision  to  the  Federal  authorities,  and 
it  proved  an  utter  failure.  In  Richmond  gloom  and  anxi- 
ety filled  the  minds  of  the  people.  The  noble  army  of 
Gen.  Lee,  reduced  to  thirty  thousand  men,  had  a  line 
forty  miles  long  in  front  of  Gen.  Grant,  with  his  splen- 
didly equipped  force  of  a  hundred  and  fifty  thousand 
men.  Gen.  Johnston,  in  command  of  the  remnant  of 
Hood's  army  and  portions  of  other  forces,  could  count 
only  twenty-five  thousand  men  to  confront  forty  thou- 
sand, fliisb.ed  with  victory,  moving  from  th^>  South  under 
Gen.  Sherman. 

In  the  midst  of  disasters,  and  under  the  thickening 
gloom  of  war  clouds,  the  people  of  the  South  lifted  up 
their  voice  to  Him  that  ruleth  the  nations.  The  Presi- 
dent, in  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  the  Confederate 
Congress,  appointed  the  10th  day  of  March  as  a  day  of 
fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer,  with  thanksgiving.  In 
the  spirit  of  a  Christian  patriot  he  addressed  his  procla- 
mation to  the  suffering 'peoi)le  of  the  Confederate  States  : 

"It  is  our  solemn  duty,  at  all  times,  and  more  espe- 
cially in  a  season  of  public  trial  and  adversity,  to  ac- 
knowledge our  dependence  on  His  mercy,  and  to  bow  in 
humble  submission  before  His  footstool,  confessing  our 
manifold  sins,  supplicating  His  gracious  pardon,  implor- 
ing His  divine  help,  and  devoutly  rendering  thanks  for 


416  THE    GREAT    REVIVAL. 

the  many  and  great  blessings  which  he  has  vouchsafed 
to  us. 

"Let  the  hearts  of  our  people  turn  contritely  and 
trustfully  unto  God ;  let  us  recognize  in  his  chastening 
hand  the  correction  of  a  Father,  and  submissively  pray 
that  the  trials  and  sufferings  which  have  so  long  borne 
heavily  upon  us  may  be  turned  away  by  his  merciful 
love ;  that  his  sustaining  grace  be  given  to  our  peo- 
ple, and  his  Divine  wisdom  imparted  to  our  rulers ;  that 
the  Lord  of  Hosts  will  be  with  our  armies,  and  fight  for 
us  against  our  enemies ;  and  that  he  will  graciously  take 
our  cause  into  his  own  hand  and  mercifully  establish 
for  us  a  lasting,*  just,  and  honorable  peace  and  indepen- 
dence. 

"And  let  us  not  forget  to  render  unto  his  holy  name 
the  thanks  and  praise  which  are  so  justly  due  for  his 
great  goodness,  and  for  the  many  mercies  which  he  has 
extended  to  us  am.id  the  trials  and  sufferings  of  pro- 
tracted and  bloody  war." 

To  this  earnest  call  there  came  a  response  from  all 
parts  of  the  South.  In  the  churches,  in  the  hospitals,  in 
the  camps  and  in  the  trenches,  thousands  bowed  in  hum- 
ble prayer  for  the  blessing  and  mercy  of  God. 

And,  as  in  earlier  periods  of  the  war,  many  of  the 
brightest  examples  of  endurance  and  faith  were  found 
in  the  army.  The  anchor  of  hope  held  more  securely  as 
the  storm  increased.  The  serene  courage  and  perfect 
trust  of  Christian  soldiers  were  the  richest  legacies  of 
those  gloomy  days.  The  Rev.  Thomas  A.  Ware,  of  the 
M  E.  Church,  South,  who  labored  with  untiring  zeal  as 
a  Chaplain  in  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia,  gives  a 
vivid  picture  of  a  scene  after  a  day  of  blood.  In  the 
midst  of  the  surgeon's  work,  as  he  spoke  to  the  sufferers 
stretched  upon  the  ground,  his  ear  caught  the  soft  mur- 
mur of  prayer. 

"I  turned,"  he  says,  "to  catch  the  words.  I  &aw  one 
form  bent  over  another,  prostrata  on  the  grass,  until  the 


SPRING  OF  1865.  417 

lips  of  the  suppliant  nearly  touched  the  pale  face  of  the 
sufferer.  'Oh,  precious  Redeemer!'  he  said,  'we  thank 
thee  for  thy  abounding  grace,  which  of  late  brought  him 
from  the  ways  of  folly  and  sin  to  know  and  love  thee, 
and  that  now  makes  this  dark  hour  the  brightest  of  his 
'life  Be  thou  graciously  with  him  to  the  end.  Merci- 
•  fully  pour  into  the  hearts  of  his  dear  ones  at  home  the 
balm  of  thy  love  and,  sweetly  resigning  them  to  thy  will, 
bring  them  all  at  last  to  meet  him  in  heaven.'  The 
prayer  was  ended.  'Amen,'  murmured  the  faded  lips. 
The  Chaplain  recognized  me,  and  gave  me  an  introduc- 
tion to  the  dying  man.  'I  trust  you  are  a  Christian,  my 
friend,'  said  I,  'and  that  even  now  you  are  resigned  and 
happy.'  '  Oh,  yes,'  he  said.  '  I  entered  the  army  a 
wicked  man,  but  I  must  tell  you  now  of  the  influence  of 
a  good  sister.  Will  you  please  unroll  my  knapsack,  sir, 
and  get  me  a  letter  lying  on  my  clothes?  I  wish  you  to 
read  it  to  me.  I  have  often  read  it,  but  you  will  be  so 
kind  as  to  read  it  to  me  now.'  I  obeyed.  The  touching 
appeal  for  patriotism  and  piety,  especially  the  entreaties 
for  the  latter,  couched  in  all  the  tender  sentiments  of  a 
sister's  love,  evoked  frequent  ejaculations  of  prayer  that 
'  God  would  reward  and  bless  her  forever.'  '  Oh,  sir,'  he 
said,  '  her  precious  letters  have  proven  my  salvation. 
Thank  God  for  such  a  sister.'  Soon  after  the  manly 
form  lay  cold  and  stiff  on  the  ground,  and  the  spirit, 
leaving  the  impress  of  its  rapture  on  the  upturned  face, 
went  with  the  angels  to  heaven  to  await  the  coming  of 
its  best  beloved." 

Not  only  the  veterans,  but  the  boys,  died  in  faith  and 
glorious  hope. 

"As  I  walked  over  a  battle-field,"  says  a  writer,  "I 
found  an  interesting  boy,  who  was  rolled  in  his  blanket, 
and  resting  his  head  against  a  stump.  He  had  been 
fearfully  wounded  through  the  lungs  ;  his  breath  came 
painfully  ;  and  his  broken  arm  hung  helplessly  at  his 
side.     His  lips  were  pallid  from  loss  of  blood,  and  it 


418  TILE    GREAT    KEVIVAL. 

seemed  as  though  such  pain  and  exhaustion  would  quick- 
ly wear  his  life  away.     I  said  : 

" '  My  dear  boy,  you  are  severely  wounded.' 

"  '  Yes  ;  I  am  going  to  die.' 

" '  Wouldn't  you  like  to  have  me  write  to  your  mother?' 

" '  O  yes  !  I  do,'  he  eagerly  said  ;  '  you  will  write  to 
her,  won't  you?  Tell  my  mother  I  have  read  my  Testa-, 
ment  and  put  all  my  trust  in  the  Lord.  Tell  her  to  meet 
me  in  heaven,  and  my  brother  Charlie  too.  I  am  not 
afraid  to  die.' 

"And  then,  exhausted  by  the.  effort,  the  head  fell  back 
and  the  eyes  closed  again.  Several  soldiers  had  gather- 
ed about,  attracted  by  the  patient  heroism  of  the  boy ; 
and  that  sermon  from  those  white  lips  wa,s  a  swift  wit- 
ness to  tliem  of  the  power  of  the  religion  of  Jesus. 
Strong  men  turned  away  to  hide  their  tears  as  they  saw 
that  young  soul,  strengthened  and  cheered  in  its  agony 
by  the  hopes  of  the  gospel.  It  was  not  hard  to  assure 
him  of  Christ's  love  and  remembrance,  and  lead  him  still 
closer  to  the  Cross.     At  length  the  eyes  opened  again  : 

"  '  Tell  my  mother  that  I  was  brave,  that  I  never  flinched 
a  bit.' " 

We  cannot  forbear  to  record  a  rare  instance  of  the 
devotion  of  a  soldier  to  the  spiritual  welfare  of  his  com- 
rades in  his  last  hours  : 

"W.  E.  Howard,  of  Douglass'  Battery,  a  soldier  from 
Texas,"  says  Dr.  J,  B.  McFerrin,  "was  converted  in  one 
of  our  revivals  in  the  army  and  became  an  active,  zeal- 
ous Christian.  During  one  of  the  fights  last  fall  he  was 
mortally  wounded.  Before  his  death  he  requested  his 
effects  converted  into  cash  and  applied  to  the  cause  of 
Christianity  in  the  Army  of  Tennessee,  especially  in  cir- 
culating religious  reading  among  the  soldiers.  Lieu- 
tenant Harden  thinks  when  all  is  realized  thex-e  will 
be  about  eight  hundred  or  one  thousand  dollars  to  dis- 
pose of  in  this  wa3^" 

Of  all  who  adhered  most  firmly  to  our  cause  in  the 


SPUING  OF  1865.  419 

darkly  closing  days  of  the  struggle,  the  women  of  the 
South  have  tlie  noblest  record.  By  their  letters  from 
homes,  where  they  were  pinched  with  want,  tbe}'  infused 
just  courage  into  the  hearts  of  fathers,  husbands,  and 
brothers,  and  held  many  a  desponding  soldier  to  the  post 
of  duty.  The  same  writer,  from  whom  we  have  quoted, 
says : 

'"If  I  were  to  go  home  without  leave,'  said  a  Colonel 
to  me  yesterday,  'my  loip,  tliough  I  am  sure  as  anxious 
to  see  me  as  it  is  possible  I  should  be  to  get  home,  would 
send  me  back.'  You  are  right,  sir,  'tis  home  influences 
that  make  us,  under  God,  what  we  are.  If  a  man  falter, 
they  at  home  are  apt  to  be  responsible.  Depression  is 
rather  reflected  from  home  on  the  army  than  from  the 
army  home. 

'"You  know  the  circumstances,'  said  an  enraged  sol- 
dier to  me  as  to  'a  father  confessor,'  asking  my  advice  as 
to  a  rash  act  to  which  he  felt  he  had  justifiable  provoca- 
tion. 'Do  3'ou  think  my  dear  wife  would  think  any  the 
less  of  me  if  I  did  it?'  '  She  may  not  censure,'  I  replied, 
*  but  she  must  regret.  The  heart  of  your  dear  wife  would 
perhaps  cling  to  you  even  in  folly  and  crime,  but  yoii 
may  bre  ik  that  heart.'  The  appeal  was  sufficient.  'Sir,' 
said  he,  'I'll  take  your  advice — I'll  desist.'" 

The  women  of  the  South  were  never  happier  than 
when  serving  the  soldiers.  On  ever^'  great  highway 
there  were  open  houses  for  the  wearj'',  wounded,  hungry, 
and  footsore,  where  rest,  and  food  to  the  ver}'  last  quart 
of  meal  and  pound  of  meat,  were  freely  tendered. 
Speaking  of  what  he  saw  at  "  Sunshine,"  the  residence 
of  Bishop  George  F.  Pierce,  near  Sparta,  Ga.,  Dr.  E.  H. 
Myers  says  : 

'•Bishop  Pierce  keeps  the  apostolic  rule  that  a  Bishop 
must  be  a  '  lover  of  hospitality,'  in  which  good  work  he 
is  nobly  seconded  by  a  wife  whose  time  seems  almost 
wholly  given  to  providing  for  the  weary,  wayfaring  sol- 
dier.    While  I  was  at  '  Sunshine,'   the  current  of  travel 


420  THE   GREAT   REVIVAL. 

tad  somewhat  slacked,  j'^et,  even  then,  the  callers  were 
at  the  rate  of  from  twenty  to  thirty  a  day.  Tired  sol- 
diers, wounded  soldiers,  want  a  shelter  for  the  night; 
hungry  soldiers  want  a  lunch  or  a  full  merd  ;  si;k  sol- 
diers want  a  glass  of  milk,  or  some  little  <lelieacy ;  and 
these  wants  recur,  not  at  regular  meal-time,  but  at  all 
hours  of  the  day,  and  sometimes  of  the  night.  And  the 
applicants  are  not  denied.  What  though  tlie  cooli  is  at 
work,  with  extra  help,  all  day?  The  supply  of  prepared 
food  must  be  kept  up,  and  every  needj' case  must  receive 
attention.  And  thus  has  it  been  at  '  Sunshine"  since  No- 
vember, and  thus  must  it  be  until  another  route  for  travel 
is  opened."  Such  scenes  were  daily  repeated  in  thou- 
sands of  Southern  homes. 

Tlie  truly  devout  spirit  that  pervaded  the  armies  of  the 
South  in  the  last  da3's  of  the  war  could  not  be  more  fully 
shown  than  in  the  following  resolutions  adopted  by  Ben- 
ning's,  lirj-an's,  Wofford's,  Anderson's,  and  Evans',  bri- 
gades of  Georgia  troops  : 

"Resolved,  1st.  That  we  hereby  acknowledge  the  sin- 
fulness of  our  past,  conduct  as  a  just  and  sufficient 
ground  for  the  displeasure  of  Almighty  God;  and  that, 
earnestl}'  repenting  of  our  sins,  we  are  determined,  by 
his  grace,  to  wincnd  our  lives  for  the  future ;  and,  in 
earnest  supplication  to  God,  through  the  mediation  of 
his  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  we  implore  the  forgiveness  of  our 
sins  and  seek  the  Divine  favor  and  protection. 

"  Resolved,  2nd.  Tiiat  we  earnestly  and  sincerely  re- 
quest our  friends  in  Georgia  to  remember  us  in  all  their 
supplications  at  a  throne  of  grace  :  praying  that  we  may 
be  enabled  to  continue  steadfast  in  the  foregoing  resolve  ; 
that  we  may  secure,  through  Divine  grace,  the  salvation 
of  our  souls ;  that  God  may  preserve  our  lives  through 
the  coming  campaign,  nerve  our  arms  in  freedom's  con- 
test, and  crown  our  labors,  privations,  and  toils,  with 
Southern  independence,  peace,  and  prospcrit}-." 

"These  resolutions,"'  says  Rev.  T.  B.  Harden,  '  were 


SPRING  OF  1865.  421 

unanimously  adopted  in  every  instance  except  one,  and 
then  there  was  but  one  vote  in  the  negative.'* 

The  same  spirit  animated  a  large  majority  of  the  sol- 
diers in  otlier  armies  of  the  Confederacy,  as  they  nobly 
stood  with  daily  decreasing  numbers  in  the  darkly  clos- 
ing daj's  of  the  war.  Richmond,  the  centre  of  the  strug- 
gle, was  destined  soon  to  hear  tlie  tramp  of  tlie  last  reg- 
iment of  Southern  soldiers  as  they  departed  southward 
across  her  burning  bridges.  A  picture  of  tlie  cit}'  at  this 
period  will  not  be  out  of  place.  As  the  capital  of  the 
Confederac}^  it  was  the  point  to  which  all  eyes  were 
turned.  The  various  government  offices  added  thousands 
to  the  population.  Refugees  crowded  in  from  all  parts 
of  the  State  and  from  other  States,  until  her  population 
readied  to  nigh  a  hundred  thousand'.  Nearly  every 
dwelling-house  was  packed  from  cellar  to  garret.  Feau- 
tiful  women,  refined  and  educated,  and  accustomed  to 
all  the  luxuries  of  life,  cleaned  their  own  rooms,  cooked 
their  own  meals,  and  endured  all  the  privations  of  war 
with  a  patience,  cheerfulness,  and  courage  unsurpassed 
in  the  histor}'  of  any  people.  A  writer,  from  the  midst 
of  the  scenes  he  describes,  sa3's  : 

"All  the  government  departments  are  filled  with  fair 
workers.  The  most  accomplished  find  employment  in 
the  "War,  Post  Office,  Commissary,  and  otlier  departments 
requiring  recording  clerks,  while  others  labor  in  the 
clothing  and  other  inferior  bureaus.  Even  the  govern- 
ment telegraph  office  has  its  fair  bevy  of  fair  operators. 
Those  who  cannot  obtain  such  positions  as  are  men- 
tioned betake  themselves  to  the  Confederate  laboratory, 
or  if  no  government  employment  can  be  had,  turn  a  will- 
ing hand  to  any  business  which  can  earn  them  an  honor- 
able support.  Not  one  of  this  vast  crowd  of  refugee 
ladies  is  to  be  seen  at  the  doors  of  the  charitable  insti- 
tutions of  Richmond.  With  a  self-reliance  which  reaches 
sublimity,  they  depend  wholly  upon  their  own  exertions 
in  their  hour  of  need. 
18a 


422  THE    GREAT   RE\aVAL. 

"Many  of  these  ladies  are  the  descendants  of  the 
Masons,  Henrj's,  Tylers,  Tazewells,  Randolphs,  "NVythes, 
Pres'tons,  McDowells,  Smythes,  Paxtons,  and  other  fam- 
ilies of  the  Old  Dominion,  whose  names  are  historic. 
Tlieir  ancestral  homes  are  desolate  or  in  ruins.  Fire 
and  sword,  shot  and  shell,  have  made  homes  once  bloom- 
ing gardens  of  beauty,  a  blackened  desolation.  But 
there  are  no  tears  shed  by  the  fair  beings  wlio  are  re- 
duced to  poverty.  Tliey  thinli  tliat  from  woman's  lips 
bhould  fall  no  murmur  of  complaint  while  soldiers  brave 
all  the  hardships  of  war,  in  defence  of  the  Old  Common- 
wealth and  lier  si-ter  States  of  tlie  Confederacy." 

The  condition  of  the  Confederacy  at  this  time  cannot 
be  conceived  of  by  any  one  who  did  not  live  there  as  an 
actor  in  the  bloody  drama,  now  so  near  its  close.  The 
Federal  armies  drew  nearer  to  the  coveted  Capital  and 
to  all  the  important  lines  of  communication  with  the 
sister  States  of  the  South.  They  were  daily  growing 
stronger,  while  General  Lee's  army  was  daily  growing 
weaker.  The  lait  desperate  resolve  was  to  ask  the  own- 
ers of  slaves  to  send  them  to  the  camps  of  instruction 
to  be  drilled  for  soldiers.  The  proportion  called  for  was 
twenty-five  per  cent,  of  all  the  male  slaves  between  the 
ages  of  18  and  45  in  each  State.  .  General  orders  were 
issued  relative  to  the  treatment  of  the^e  slave  fcoMiers. 
The  officers  were  ordered  "to  be-^tow  humane  atten  ion 
to  whatever  concerned  their  health,  comfort,  and  discip- 
line— to  a  uniform  observance  of  kindness  and  forbear- 
ance in  their  treatment,  and  to  protect  them  from  injus- 
tice and  oppression."  No  s^lave  was  to  be  accepted  as  a 
recruit,  unless  with  the  owner's  consent,  by  written  in- 
strument, confirming,  as  far  as  he  might,  the  rights  of 
freemen.  But  at  the  late  perio  \  of  tlie  war  when  this 
scheme  was  adopted  it  was  not  possible  to  put  it  into 
execution,  and  it  may  be  well  doubted  whether  at  an 
earlier  date  it  would  have  been  successful. 

The  evident  purpose  of  General  Grant  lo  move  his 


SPRING  OF  1865.  423 

left  wing  far  enough  to  the  south  of  Petersburg  to  cut 
General  Lee's  most  valuable  railroad  line  induced  the 
Confederate  leader  to  attack  the  Federals  on  tlieir  right, 
near  the  Appomattox  river.  The  Confederates  assaulted 
with  their  usual  valor,  and  carried  two  lines  of  works  and 
one  or  two  heavy  forts,  but  the  Federals  massed  their 
artillery',  and  poured  in  so  terrible  an  enfilading  fire  as  to 
compel  a  speedy  evacuation  of  the  captured  lines.  Five 
Forks,  fought  on  the  first  of  April,  compelled  the  evacu- 
ation of  Petersburg  and  Richmond. 

General  Lee  dispatched  to  President  Davis  that  his 
lines  had  been  hopelessly  broken,  and  that  the  city 
should  be  immediately  evacuated.  This  sad  news  was 
received  b}^  the  President  as  he  sat  in  his  pew  on  Sun- 
day morning  in  St.  Pauls  church.  That  night  he  left 
the  city  with  the  members  of  his  Cabinet  and  the  at- 
taches of  the  several  departments  and  retired  to  Dan- 
ville. From  that  place  he  issued  a  stirring  proclama- 
tion urging  the  Southern  people  to  show  that  they  were 
no  less  able  to  endure  misfortune  with  fortitude  than  to 
encounter  danger  with  courage.  In  a  few  hours  after  the 
departure  of  the  government  Richmond  was  in  flames, 
and  "all  the  hopes  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  were 
consumed  in  one  da^^  as  a  scroll  in  the  fire.*'  In  the 
midst  of  the  awful  conflagration  the  Federal  troops 
marched  in  and  gazed  upon  the  funeral  pile  of  Southern 
hopes. 

In  the  meanwhile  General  Lee,  with  the  remnant  of 
his  arm3%  was  struggling  through  deep  and  miry  roads 
towards  F'armville. 

He  hoped  to  be  able  to  reach  Danville  and  establish  a 
new  defensive  line  along  the  Roanoke  and  Dan  rivers, 
but  the  Federals,  fresh  and  well-equipped,  moving  rap- 
idly with  heavy  cavalry  forces  by  parallel  roads  on  his 
left,  cut  off  that  line  of  retreat,  and  the  only  alterna- 
tive was  to  push  directly  to  Lynchburg.  The  dispirited, 
weary  and  famished  Confederates  dropped  out  of  ranks 


424  TIIE   GREAT   REATVAL. 

constantly  as  their  lines  straggled  along  tlie  wretched 
roads,  until  less  than  ten  tI:oasand  remained  when  they 
reached  Appomattox  Courthouse.  Bat  the^'' stood  ready 
in  their  pitiable  condition  to  give  battle  at  the  signal  of 
their  Chief  to  the  powerful  army  that  was  closing  around 
them. 

Those  who  were  of  that  band  of  heroes  know  with  what 
bitterness  of  grief  they  learned  that  their  last  line  of  re- 
treat was  cut  off,  and  that  the  leader  whom  they  loved  as 
children  love  a  father,  rather  than  spill  their  blood  in 
vain,  had  determined  to  surrender  the  fragment  of  the 
Army  of  Northern  Virginia.  Strong  men  sat  down  and 
cried  like  children ;  some,  it  is  said,  stuck  their  swords 
into  the  ground  and  snapped  them  asunder,  while  not  a 
few  made  ready  to  escape  through  the  closing  lines  of  the 
Federals,  for  the  purpose  of  joining  the  forces  of  Gen. 
Johnston  in  North  Carolina. 

The  impression  made  upon  the  minds  of  the  P'ederal 
officers  and  soldiers  is  given  in  tbe  following  extract 
from  an  oration  before  the  Society  of  tbe  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  delivered  by  General  Stewart  L.  Woodford,  of 
New  York  : 

"  The  morning  crept  slowly  on — first  into  gra}*  dawn, 
then  into  ros}^  flush.  Still  on  !  Still  on  !  The  mist  crept 
upward  and  into  line  you  wheeled,  and  on  your  musket 
lay  down,  each  man  in  place,  to  get  scant  rest,  which, 
even  in  terrible  marching,  j'ou  neither  sought  nor  heeded. 
You  were  squarely  across  Lee's  front,  and  had  closed  for- 
ever his  last  line  of  retreat. 

"  The  enemy,  reaching  your  cavalry  advance,  saw  the 
serried  line  of  Union  troopers.  Gordon  gathered  and 
massed  his  men  for  their  last  charge.  Tattered  and 
hungry,  worn  by  ceaseless  marching  and  fighting  with  no 
hope  of  victory,  with  little  possible  hope  of  escape,  they 
closed  their  lines  with  fidelity  of  discipline  and  soldierly 
resolution,  to  which  words  can  do  little  justice,  but  which 
each  soldier's  heart  must  recognize  and  honor. 


SPRING  OF  18G5.  425 

"As  the  old  guard  closed  around  their  Emperor  at 
"Waterloo,  so  those  men  closed  around  the  flags  of  their 
lost  cause.  My  heart  abliors  their  treason.  But  it  warms 
beyond  restraint  to  their  manhood  so  grandly  brave, 
even  in  disloyalty.  Slowly  they  advanced  to  their  last 
attack.  No  battle  yell,  no  crack  of  the  skirmisher's 
rifle  broke  the  strange  stillness  of  that  Sabbath  morn. 
Steadily,  silently  they  came  when  Sheridan  drew  bacli 
his  horsemen,  as  parts  some  mighty  curtain,  and  there 
stood  the  close  formed  battalions  of  infantry,  the  cannon 
gleaming  in  t!ie  openings,  quietly  awaiting  the  coming 
of  Gordon's  men. 

"  Instinctively  your  enemy  halted.  Meanwhile  Lee 
has  turned  back  to  meet  Grant  and  surrendered  his  com- 
mand. Sheridan  swung  his  cavalry  around  npon  Gor- 
don's left  and  was  about  to  charge,  when  Custer  reached 
Longstreet.  Assurance  of  surrender  was  given,  and  the 
end  bad  come. 

"  The  Sabbath  day,  with  tears  and  in  sorrow,  Southern 
men  folded  the  banners  of  the  'Lost  Cause,'  and  their 
Ivavest  and  best  sought  honorably  to  bury  them  from 
sight  forever. 

*'  How  sad  it  is  that  poor  ambitions,  jealousies  of  race, 
the  wretched  greed  of  pelf  and  place,  and  the  miserable 
hates  of  social  rivalries  should  so  often  disturb  the  hearty 
reconciliation  of  that  surrender,  and  for  a  time  revive  the 
bitterness  which  you  then  sought  to  bury  in  a  common 
grave." 

The  interview  between  Generals  Grant  and  Lee  has 
often  been  described.  "We  give  the  following  from  Gen. 
George  H.  Sharp,  who  was  a  member  of  General  Grant's 
staff,  and  who  witnessed  the  scene  : 

"  They  met  in  the  parlor  of  a  small  brown  house  Gen. 
Grant  sat  in  a  rocking  chair,  not  appearing  to  the  best 
advantage,  as  he  was  without  his  sword,  and  his  coat  was 
buttoned  up  so  carelessly  that  buttons  and  button-holes 
were  in  the  wrong  places.     Lee  sat  proud  and  majestic, 


426  THE    GUEAT    KKVIVAL. 

dressed  in  a  new  uniform  that  he  probably  then  wore 
for  the  first  time,  every  particle  of  his  dress  neat  and  sol- 
dier-like, down  to  the  well-polished  spurs.  Grant  apolo- 
gized for  not  being  equipped,  having  ridden  out  without 
his  sword.  Lee  bore  himself  with  composure,  and  be- 
trayed his  agitation  only  when  the  roar  of  400  guns  pro- 
claimed the  victory  of  the  Union.  Then  General  Lee 
glanced  reproachfull}'  toward  Grant,  as  though  to  say, 
•  You  might  have  spared  me  this.'  " 

The  news  of  General  Lee's  surrender  reached  Mr. 
Davis  at  Danville  on  the  10th  of  April.  He  went  thence 
to  Greensboro,  North  Carolina,  where  he  met  Generals 
Johnston  and  Beauregard,  both  of  whom  assured  him 
that  in  their  judgment  it  was  useless  to  continue  the 
struggle.  The  surrender  of  General  Johnston  followed 
a  few  days  after  this  interview,  and  all  resistance  to  the 
Federal  armies  east  of  the  Mississippi  ceased.  The 
army  west  of  that  river,  under  General  Kirby  Smith, 
soon  after  laid  down  its  arras,  and  the  great  civil  war 
was  ended. 

It  is  a  noteworthy  fact,  and  one  that  speaks  w^l 
for  the  character  of  the  American  people,  that  the  sol- 
diers on  both  sides  returned  so  quietly  to  the  pursuits 
of  a  peaceful  life  after  the  disbanding  of  the  armies. 
Throughout  the  South  "almost  every  cross  road,"  says 
an  eminent  writer,  "  witnessed  the  separation  of  com- 
rades in  arms,  who  had  long  shared  the  perils  and  priva- 
tions of  a  terrible  struggle,  now  seeking  their  homes  to 
resume  their  pursuits  as  peaceful  citizens.  Endeared  to 
each  other  by  their  ardent  love  for  a  common  cause,  their 
wordfl  of  parting,  few  and  brief,  were  words  of  warm,  fra- 
ternal affection ;  pledges  of  endless  regard,  and  mutual 
promises  to  meet  again. 

In  closing  our  narrative  the  question  arises,  were  the 
fruits  of  the  army  revivals  enduring  ?  To  this  question 
thousands  can  this  day,  more  than  twelve  years  after  the 
banners  of  the  South  were  furled,  give  an  emphatic  affirm- 


SPRING  OF  18G5.  427 

ative  response.  In  all  the  churches  of  the  South  there 
are  earnest,  devout  and  active  Christians,  who  date  their 
spiritual  birth  from  some  revival  in  Virginia,  in  the  West, 
or  in  the  far  South.  And  before  them  vividly'-  rises  tlie 
rude  camp  church,  the  gathering  throngs  from  the  various 
commands,  the  hearty  singing,  the  simple  and  earnest 
prayers,  the  tender  appeals  of  the  loved  chaplain,  urging 
all  who  stand  on  the  perilous  edge  of  battle  to  fly  for  re- 
fuge to  the  Friend  of  sinners,  the  responsive  approach  to 
the  place  of  prayer,  the  sobs,  the  groans,  the  tears  of  men 
who  could  look  steadil}'  into  the  cannon's  mouth,  tlie 
bright  faces,  the  shouts  and  hand-shaking,  and  embraces 
of  new-born  souls — these  are  the  bright  spots  to  which 
memory  returns  and  delights  to  dwell  upon  in  that  dark 
period  that  drenched  the  land  in  blood  and  put  a  load  of 
grief  upon  every  household. 

Strange  as  it  may  seem  to  many  readers,  the  call  to 
preach  the  gospel  of  Christ  came  to  the  hearts  of  the 
men  of  war  on  the  tented  field  ;  and  no  sooner  were  their 
carnal  weapons  laid  aside  than  they  buckled  on  the  Di- 
vine armor,  and,  seizing  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  entered 
the  battle  against  the  powers  of  darkness.  In  this  we 
find  one  of  the  strongest  proofs  of  the  genuineness  of 
the  Arm}'  Revival.  Truly,  its  fruits  are  still  enduring. 
Thousands  who  were  participants  in  that  glorious  and,  to 
some,  strange  work,  have  passed  the  flood  of  death  and 
are  seen  no  more  among  men,  but  the  seed  they  sowed 
in  trench  and  camp  and  hospital,  in  the  bivouac,  and  on 
the  weary  march,  was  watered  from  above  and  has  borne 
a  rich  harvest.  And  may  we  not  hope  that  the  full  frui- 
tion of  this  work  is  to  be  realized  in  that  era  of  peace 
and  good  will  which  is  even  now  descending  upon  our 
common  country  ? 


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